DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The community is in shock over the tragic death of a U.S. Postal Service worker, who friends and family say was shot while on his mail delivery route. The incident involving 31-year-old Dequavious Graves occurred Thursday near Oxford Drive, leaving a significant impact on those who knew him.
Witnesses recounted the harrowing moments of the shooting; Graves was reportedly behind the wheel of his postal truck when the attack happened. Neighbors heard gunshots ringing out and soon after saw the vehicle veering off the road and coming to a stop in a nearby yard.
Elizabeth Nace, a resident in the area, was one of the first to rush to the scene. She described her frantic effort to get help, initially thinking Graves might have suffered a medical emergency. “I thought maybe he had a stroke or seizure because he was still alive and breathing; he just couldn’t speak,” Nace remarked.
Graves’ mother, Shannon, received the devastating news from Grady Hospital, which informed her of her son’s passing. Overcome with grief, she expressed her disbelief at the sudden loss. “Once I got there and they told me my son had passed, I just lost it. I mean, it was no words. My child was gone,” she said, grappling with the enormity of her loss.
Having served as a mail carrier for four years, Graves was known for his kindness and commitment to his job, working part of that time at the Wesley Chapel Post Office. His family is struggling to accept the violence that took his life. “The hardest part is just knowing I’ll never talk to him again; the chapter of our friendship cousin relationship is over,” said Nosakhere Andrews, Graves’ cousin. The two were not just relatives but close friends, collaborating on music projects throughout the years.
The investigation into this tragic case is being conducted by the DeKalb County Police Department in conjunction with the United States Postal Inspection Service. While the community awaits further details, the USPS expressed its heartfelt condolences, stating they are offering counseling services to employees at the Wesley Chapel Post Office and support to Graves’ family and friends during this difficult period.
Despite the growing concern within the community, authorities have not yet released any information regarding potential suspects in the shooting. Shannon Graves has a poignant message for whoever is responsible for her son’s death, urging them to turn themselves in. “Please turn yourself in because my son didn’t deserve this. No parent wants to bury a child. It’s real hard, it’s real hard,” she said, conveying the depth of her pain.
Memorials and tributes for Dequavious Graves are anticipated in the coming days as the community seeks to honor his memory and support one another through this trying time.