ATLANTA — A grief-stricken Georgia town is banding together after the owners of a well-known gun range and their grandson were killed at their family business. Four days after the murders, the Grantville family is voicing their sorrow.
Evelyn and Tommy Hawk, the owners of Lock Stock and Barrel Shooting Range were found dead inside their store on April 8 by their son Richard Hawk. Richard, who is the Coweta County coroner, also found his son Alexander "Luke" Hawk deceased, steps away from the teenager's grandparents.
Grantville Police believe the family members were killed in a violent robbery and said it was tragic happenstance that Richard was the first person to find them and report it.
"Three beloved members of the Hawk family were taken too soon," the family said in a statement. "We are heartbroken and our loss seems insurmountable."
Their deaths have garnered national attention as the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, ATF, the Coweta County Sheriff's Office and the Grantville Police Department try to find who swiped 40 guns and security camera recordings and left the three family members dead. The Hawk family is asking for privacy during this time.
In memory of Luke, who was expected to start school at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the family has started a memorial scholarship in his name. Contributions can be made here.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations are made in memory of the Hawk family here. Donations made to the Coweta Community Foundation will help individuals and organizations assisting in tornado recovery efforts, stemming from the storm that devastated the community last year.
Those who would like to also assist the community in the name of the Hawk family can also gift funds to the Ronald McDonald House here.
People who want to help add to the reward offer can donate to the Coweta County Sheriff's Reward Fund by mailing a check sheriff’s office at 560 Greison Trail, Newnan, GA 30263, according to a statement from the family. Donors should note the check with "Hawk Family Reward."
Gov. Brian Kemp announced earlier this week the State of Georgia has added $10,000 to an existing $15,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the Hawk family murderer. No arrests have been made.