DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The 31-year-old daughter of a Peachtree Corners Councilman was shot and killed in DeKalb County Monday night.
Lauren Allen, a Lyft driver and the daughter of Peachtree Corners Councilman Joe Sawyer, was killed after dropping off a passenger at the 5700-block of Cedar Croft Court in Lithonia. Her father, who spoke to 11Alive's Cody Alcorn, is heartbroken by the loss.
“We’re not supposed to bury kids. They’re supposed to bury us,” Sawyer said.
DeKalb Police said Allen's passenger got into a domestic dispute with another man: 23-year-old Lerelle Chatman. He's accused of firing several gunshots into Allen's car, killing her.
DeKalb Police later encountered Chatman armed with a rifle less than a mile away at the Shell gas station at 6470 Covington Highway, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The GBI said that's when Chatman began shooting at officers – damaging several cars including police vehicles. Several DeKalb County officers shot back at the 23-year-old and he died at the scene, the GBI said.
"Our hearts go out to Councilman Sawyer and his family," a statement from the City of Peachtree Corners said Tuesday. "At this time, we are in contact and have assured them that as a work family and friends, we are here to provide any support they may need."
In a tweet, DeKalb County also offered its condolences to Councilman Sawyer and Allen's family.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved her," DeKalb County said.
Photos | Lauren Allen
When Councilman Sawyer spoke about his daughter Tuesday night, he said while he’s hurting, he knows she is in a better place.
“She’s up in heaven doing what she liked to do down here, that’s dance and sing. She’s looking down saying, 'don’t worry about me. I’m good. Stay strong. Take care of my kids,'” Sawyer said.
Allen leaves behind three children: two girls and a boy ages 12, 10 and 7 years old.
“God had a plan for her for 31 years. There’s no sense in asking God why because he’s got a plan,” Sawyer said.
He also said Allen loved driving for the rideshare company Lyft.
"She got to meet different people. She was energetic, she never met a person she didn’t know. She loved everybody. She was like me,” said Sawyer.
Councilman Sawyer called his daughter’s killing senseless.
“Stupidity. Dumbness. I just can’t believe an innocent bystander -- I just can’t even tell the hurt I feel. The innocent one, that didn’t have anything to do with it,” explained Sawyer.
An online fundraiser has been set up to help raise money for Allen's funeral arrangements.
"Lauren was first a beautiful blessing and joy to her parents Joseph and Kim, then a hard-working single mother of 3 beautiful children that she loved dearly," the online fundraiser stated. "Our hearts are heavy. Many family and friends are mourning because of this shocking tragedy."