Atlanta Police Charge Lithonia Man in East Atlanta Homicide

EAST ATLANTA — Atlanta police arrested a man for the July 22 shooting death of Lorenzo Hawthorne.

Tavish LaShan Liggons, 25, is charged with murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault, police said. No motive for the shooting was given.

An East Atlanta resident found Hawthorne, 20, lying in the in the 300 block of Greencove Lane with a gunshot wound to back of his head.

Hawthorne was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital but died from his injuries on July 23.

Liggons, a Lithonia resident, is no stranger to police, having been arrested by Atlanta, College Park, Fulton County and MARTA law enforcement departments since 2005.

Prior arrests include charges of rape, aggravated assault and child abandonment.

The Aug. 13 murder arrest also include several additional charges of:

• Failure To Appear (AGGRAVATED ASSAULT)
• Failure To Appear (AGGRAVATED ASSAULT)
• Failure To Appear (Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony)
• Failure To Appear (Child Molestation)
• Failure To Appear (False Imprisonment)
• Failure To Appear (Rape)
• Failure To Appear (Statutory Rape)

The multiple arrests underscores a longstanding complaint of residents across Southeast Atlanta who contend a lot a of crimes that occur are committed by repeat offenders and judicial sentencing rules need to be changed.

It's a sentiment Mayor Kasim Reed echoed last week in a meeting with residents of Ormewood Park, Grant Park and other Southeast Atlanta neighborhoods.