Albany men convicted in 2020 ambush slaying could receive life without parole sentences

ALBANY — Two men have been convicted in a 2020 ambush shooting in which 80 shots were fired from an assault rifle and handgun at two victims, one of whom was killed.

When sentenced, Quintavious Kenta Hawkins and Xavier Dwayne McLain could receive terms of life without parole plus 20 years, Dougherty County District Attorney Greg Edwards announced.

Jurors deliberated for about 45 minutes before returning guilty verdicts on a count for each defendant on charges of felony murder and two counts each of aggravated assault.

Brykia Faith Washington was killed in the spray of bullets, and Ta’Tavious Hawkins, no relation to Quintavious Hawkins, was shot 14 times and survived. He provided testimony during the trial.

Ta’Tavious Hawkins was the target of the ambush at the Treeside Park apartment complex on West Gordon Avenue on July 28, 2020, Edwards said. The plotters used a Facebook page to set up a fake drug deal to lure the victims to that location.

An assault rifle with a large-capacity drum magazine was one of the weapons used, and bullets went into apartments and struck multiple cars, the district attorney said.

“It’s a miracle nobody else was injured or killed,” Edwards said. “The car they were in was riddled with bullets.”

Aukievah Thomas, who was also charged in the case, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit murder and also will be sentenced at a later date.

Special Photo: Dougherty County JailSpecial Photo: Dougherty County Jail