Dacula man charged with murdering Lawrenceville attorney, setting his office on fire

Lewis was found dead inside the office. He had been shot in addition to his office being set on fire.

“GCBA is sad to announce the tragic death of member, Doug Lewis, yesterday Wednesday Dec. 7, 2022,” the Gwinnett County Bar Association said in its letter to members. “The matter is still under investigation, however a suspect was arrested shortly after and remains in custody.”

The murder warrant against Dacula resident Allen Tayeh listed the arson as the cause of Lewis’ death. Gwinnett Medical Examiner Dr. Carol Terry told the Daily Post, however, that her office's investigation determined the actual cause of death was the shooting.

Police said Tayeh was identified early as a suspect and had been near Lewis’ office when the fire broke out. A police report says the suspect was found carrying a revolver with spent shell casings when police found him. He also had injuries that led them to believe he was involved.

“Officers were directed to a male walking away from the scene,” Lawrenceville police said in a statement. “This male was detained as a suspect however he needed medical attention for burn injuries.”

Gwinnett County court records show there was an existing history between Tayeh and the attorney — Lewis represented Tayeh’s ex-wife in their divorce proceedings.

A final decree was issued in September.

The judge presiding over the case had ordered Tayeh to pay his wife’s legal fees on Oct. 31. Nearly a month later, a contempt motion was filed when the fees had reportedly not been paid.

A contempt hearing had been set to take place in Gwinnett County Superior Court on Dec. 14, according to court records.