Man Arrested In GA Shooting Range Killings, Family Prays For Suspect

GRANTVILLE, GA — Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with the shooting death of a Georgia shooting range owner, his wife, and their grandson, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Friday.

Jacob Christian Muse, of College Park, is charged with three counts of malice murder in the deaths of Thomas Hawk, 75; Evelyn Hawk, 75; and Luke Hawk, 17. All three were shot to death during a robbery at the Lock Stock & Barrel Shooting Range on the night of April 8.

The Hawk family said after the arrest that they would pray for Muse's redemption, and know they will one day be reunited with their slain family members.

Thomas Hawk's son, Richard, reportedly discovered the bodies before calling police, WSB-TV reported.

According to police, about 40 firearms were taken from the range. A DVR security system was also stolen, police said. Authorities believe the robbery and shooting happened around 5:30 p.m.

Grantville Police Chief Steve Whitlock said the Hawk family was well-known and well-respected in their small, tight-knit community. The Hawks had operated Lock Stock & Barrel for nearly 30 years. Their grandson was on spring break, helping his grandparents at the shop.

Funeral services for the three Hawk family members were held Thursday at Unity Baptist Church in Newnan.

“It’s really hard because, we don’t have stuff like that here in Grantville like that,” Grantville Police Chief Steve Whitlock told CBS46. “I’ve been doing law enforcement for a little over 40 years and whoever did this, this was, this was kind of different.”

The family’s pastor said the Hawk family welcomed him when he started as pastor a year and a half ago at their church, Emmanuel Baptist Church.

“Very good God fearing people,” Pastor Ben Sprenger told CB46. “Loved life, loved people, you felt it, you knew they love you. Quiet, reserved, they wouldn’t always say but they would live it and to me I’m learning that speaks a lot more than words.”

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 in tornado recovery efforts, after a storm hit the community last year.

The family released this statement after Muse's arrest:

"We are encouraged and honored by the incredible efforts of our local law enforcement including the Grantville Police and Coweta County Sheriff’s department, as well as the ATF and GBI. We understand from Chief Steve Whitlock that the current development with the murder suspect in custody, was certainly a team effort. We are continuing to pray for their teams during this stressful time, and we will continue to pray for the redemption of the perpetrator.

"Thank you again, to the City of Grantville and the community at large for such an outpouring of love and support. It is so meaningful that so many in our community cherished them as we did and have helped to shine a light in the darkness.

"Tommy, Evelyn and Luke Hawk have been laid to rest but, we will certainly see them again."

Muse was booked into the Coweta County Jail, officials said. Authorities did not release additional information about his arrest and it was not immediately clear whether Muse had an attorney who could comment.

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