In the quiet community of Redan, Georgia, the life of 31-year-old Lauren Kristara Sawyer-Allen was tragically cut short on the evening of Monday, November 21, 2022. A dedicated mother of three and a driver for the ride-sharing service Lyft, she was working to provide for her family when she was caught in a senseless act of violence. Lauren, the daughter of Peachtree Corners Councilman Joe Sawyer, was described by her family as a vibrant and beautiful woman of God, whose spirit was as bright as
the sun.
On that fateful night, Lauren had just dropped off a passenger on Cedar Croft Court when a dispute erupted between her passenger and another individual. That man, later identified as 23-year-old Lerelle Chatman of Lithonia, opened fire on Lauren's vehicle. She was struck by the gunfire and died inside her car. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots in the normally quiet neighborhood, forever altering the peace of the community and shattering the lives of Lauren's loved ones.
The aftermath of the shooting unfolded quickly. Shortly after the incident, police located Chatman less than a mile away at a gas station on Covington Highway. When confronted by officers, Chatman fired a rifle at them, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Chatman was ultimately shot and killed by the police at the scene. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the officer-involved shooting. The passenger in Lauren's vehicle was unharmed in the initial incident.
In the wake of this tragedy, Lauren's family and friends were left to grapple with an unimaginable loss. Her parents, Joe and Kimberly Sawyer, took on the responsibility of raising their three grandchildren. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses and to support her children. The community rallied around the grieving family, holding a balloon release and vigil to honor the memory of a woman who was remembered as a social butterfly and a loving, hardworking single mother.
