COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — It was a tragedy that has loomed over the Grantville community for nearly a year as a beloved family grieved the loss of three relatives who were shot and killed in their own business.
To mark a year since the death of Tommy Richard Hawk, Sr., Evelyn Hawk and Alexander Luke Hawk, members of the Hawk family have chosen to honor their loss by launching a scholarship.
On Thursday, family members formally announced the Luke Hawk Scholarship for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, honoring the teen's aspirations to attend the school.
"Luke was so proud to be attending ABAC as a freshman in the Fall of 2022," Shelby Wright-Whitlock, the family spokesperson and Luke's aunt said in a news release. "We thought a scholarship was the most powerful way to demonstrate that sense of hope and light that the family continues to shine during these darker days."
As of Thursday afternoon, the fund had raised half the amount to award an ABAC freshman a full scholarship.
"Luke was just sunshine, loved bright colors, loved being outdoors," Shelby said.
Luke and his grandparents were killed on April 8, 2022, at their Coweta County mom-and-pop gun shop. Tommy and his wife Evelyn were both 75 years old. Luke was 18. It was his father Richard Hawk that found them dead at Lock, Stock & Barrel gun shop and shooting range.
Richard, who also served as the Coweta County coroner, drove to the business when they didn't come home for supper and made the devastating discovery.
A few days later, Jacob Christian Muse, of College Park, was arrested. Authorities said Muse knew the family and was a frequent customer. He was accused of robbery, swiping more than three dozen guns during the homicide. Muse is set to be in court until June.
"The Hawk family wants people to know that we are praying for this person's redemption," Shelby Hawk said.
While Muse's case weaves through the justice system, the family said it's focused on healing.
They have already raised $40,000, nearly half the necessary funds to award a full scholarship to an ABAC freshman student. According to the family spokesperson, they are still raising funds so that the first recipient can use the scholarship for the Fall 2023 semester.
"There was a lot of good taken out of this world through this tragedy," Ron Whitlock, Luke's uncle said. "These scholarship funds and tragedies are a way for us to fill some of that void of the good that was taken out."
For those who'd like to donate, people can use this link. Under the designation, select "other" and type in Luke Hawk Scholarship to contribute to the family's effort. Application information will be available soon, the family said.