Warning To All Property Owners/Managers…

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kolsky Realty & Management 01311273

 

Warning To All Property Owners/Managers…

 

 

Be aware – the world is filled with dangerous people!

 

As reported in Inman: Salt Lake City police arrested three people in connection with the death of a real estate agent and father of four young children who was shot and killed while trying to evict tenants from an apartment he was managing.

 

Now, it isn’t clear whether or not the agent was in the process of evicting “or” the agent was just trying to get in front of a possible evection. But whatever the case, David Stokoe, Salt Lake City broker is dead and three individuals have been arrested in the fatal Shooting. Reportedly, after killing David, the three suspects hid the body in the crawl space within the apartment.

 

I am not for sure how evictions work in other parts of the country… But,  in So Cal. the local Sheriff department gets the eviction order from the Courts. The property owner/manager (as well as a locksmith) have to be at the property during the Sheriffs’ lockout!

 

No matter what – this was and this is a senseless murder that should not have happened. It is imperative that property owners/managers take proper precautions and do everything possible to keep safe. The world is full of dangerous people (especially those down on their luck or on drugs) and they can do unthinkable horrible things…

 

My heart goes out to David’s wife and his four young children. I can’t imagine the needless pain they have to endure. For those interested, colleagues have also started a GoFundMe page to support David’s wife Nikki and their four children.

 

 

 

 

Comments (21)

Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

There is no question that the opiod crisis has made the world a crazier place!  I have owned rental properties in the past, but haven't for several years now.  It is important to properly screen tenants before they occupy; but it is no guarantee.  I remember a couple I once rented to.  They looked pristine in appearance and on paper.  They had impecable credit.  Yet, in short time, they became the worst tenants I had.  They didn't pay their rent, and they all but destroyed the home.  They destroyed new carpet in less than 5 months.

Jan 23, 2019 11:21 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Myrl Jeffcoat ~ 30 years in dealing with renters my overall experience is fairly good... Sure, I had a few renters destroy their apartment while in the eviction process but most all of my renters have been decent law abiding renters. 

No matter what and no matter how careful I am, this is a huge wakeup call. I love life and I never want to put myself in harms way unnecessarily... This tragedy should hopefully set off sound bells to many. And hopefully, I will be extra careful in the future to ensure my safety when dealing with tenants  

Jan 23, 2019 11:58 AM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Jon tbis is a very sad story - very sad. We've had to do evictions in owned properties but the sherrifs office was involved. Never us. My brother used to own a lot of rentals and finally sold them all and moved to an island after being shot at a time or two.

Jan 23, 2019 12:33 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Jon Kolsky same thing in Pennsylvania. What a sad story. I wish this was post was Featured to remind everyone how important safety is in our everyday business. If I am not mistaken this agent was a member of Active Rain

Jan 23, 2019 01:36 PM
Hannah Williams

Thank you sister Carol you are the Best 

Jan 24, 2019 11:16 AM
Carol Williams

I will put this in Second Chance Saturday, sista.

Jan 24, 2019 07:25 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Jon- It is such a sad world that we live in when what we do in our daily lives can put us in jeopardy like this. It is so sad that there is now this sweet family left without their husband and father. 

Jan 23, 2019 03:31 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

This is just horrendous.  How do people think they're going to get away with something like that?  So senseless.  Now the lives of David's family and 3 more people are altered forever and for what? 

Jan 24, 2019 07:28 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS 602-380-4886 ~ cringing in pain -my heart is with David's family... In So Cal. the local sheriff department is the one to knock on the door and do the heavy lifting. It is a requirement for the property owner/manager to be there during the event, but the sheriffs' ensure there's no interaction between the two parties

Jan 24, 2019 08:49 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Hannah Williams ~ I just can't believe there are such mindless individuals.... 

Michael Jacobs ~just wrote a post "in an instant" - it is just so true! In a fricken nanosecond, the world can either change or end....  & the harm caused is unthinkable and so senseless

And if David is part of the AR family - I wasn't aware... Regardless, I know many here (along with friends and colleagues) send support to the family "and" mourn in spirit sending positive thoughts and prayers

Jan 24, 2019 09:08 AM
Hannah Williams

My mistake I know the name and do not know from where. just assumed it was from AR 

Jan 24, 2019 11:14 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Kathy Streib ~ I'm sorry - but wth..... What the heck is wrong with some people? I will never get it!!!! There are some really sick people in the world and we have to be vigilant, aware and keep as safe as possible...

David's life was taken cruelly and unfairly... David will miss out on so much and so will his family... My heart forever goes out

 

Jan 24, 2019 09:25 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Carol Williams ~ yes..... hair-raising, appalling, hideous, and unspeakable, too!  And to think there are individuals out there so callus and mindless.... it is hard to control my thoughts! It's a true nightmare and my heart goes out to his beautiful family 

Jan 24, 2019 09:35 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Good moring, Jon... I heard this story before reading your post and was horrified. And that sense of horror returns every time I see something about it. I often wonder what our world is coming to... real estate agents killed, police officers killed...

Jan 26, 2019 05:00 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I guess the question is did he try to break down the door? Even if he didn't this is best left to the sheriff's department. All of our evictions are handled that way if they do not obey the court order to leave.

Jan 26, 2019 08:58 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

There certainly are dangerous people around, and everyone needs to be cautious. If I were a property manager looking to evict someone, I would hope my area was one that utilized law enforcement to do so. This was a terrible outcome.

Jan 27, 2019 03:31 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Jon

This is such a sad story and a reminder to always keep our safety in mind in our business.

Jeff

Jan 27, 2019 08:51 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Jon Kolsky ,

I'm so glad that Carol Williams featured you post as I missed it and didn't hear about this. So senseless and how horrible for his wife and 4 children. Le if forever changed over rent money!!

Jan 27, 2019 02:20 PM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Nina Hollander ~ it is a crazy world out there sometimes, that's for sure... I'm enraged by this senseless killing, too! This is just another sad reminder that we have to be very aware and careful

Jan 28, 2019 08:47 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Joe Pryor ~ I was trying to find out more details, but it is unclear (as far as I know)... I would be shocked if David was kicking in the door, owners and property managers should know better than to do something insane like that... And in CA. we let the sheriffs' department do the heavy lifting

Jan 28, 2019 08:51 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Kat Palmiotti ~ yes... As managers and property owners we have to be smart and keep safe. Using law enforcement for lockouts is the only way to evict

Jan 28, 2019 08:54 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Jeff Dowler, CRS ~ I know... I was shocked and enraged, such senseless stupid $hit.... And... We do have to be so careful nowadays

Jan 28, 2019 08:57 AM
Jon Kolsky
Kolsky Realty & Management - Long Beach, CA
Licensed California Real Estate Broker

Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR ~ Hanna asked for it and Carol delivered... This is such a sad story and such a sad reminder to keep safe as we work

Jan 28, 2019 09:00 AM