DeKalb County investigates fatal shooting of USPS mail carrier Dequavious Graves during his delivery route

A postal worker killed while on duty

A U.S. Postal Service employee was shot and killed while delivering mail in DeKalb County, Georgia, an incident that has prompted an investigation involving local police and federal postal law enforcement. Family and friends identified the victim as 31-year-old Dequavious Graves, who was working his route when the shooting occurred near Oxford Drive.

Neighbors described seeing a USPS delivery vehicle on the roadway when gunfire erupted. As of Sunday night, investigators had not released suspect information or a possible motive, and no arrest had been announced.

What is known about the timeline and location

• The shooting occurred on Thursday, February 12, 2026, near Oxford Drive in DeKalb County.

• Graves was inside a USPS truck and actively delivering mail when he was shot, based on accounts shared by residents and relatives.

• DeKalb County police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are conducting the investigation.

Family, friends and coworkers describe a loss felt across the community

Relatives said Graves had worked as a letter carrier for about four years, including time assigned to the Wesley Chapel post office. Friends and family described him as humorous and creative, with a strong interest in music and personal style.

“The hardest part is just knowing I’ll never talk to him again,” a cousin said, describing the abrupt end of a long-standing relationship.

The killing has intensified concerns about the safety of frontline postal employees who routinely work alone in residential neighborhoods, often on fixed routes that can make their movements predictable.

How postal crimes are handled and what comes next

Violent incidents involving mail carriers are typically investigated in coordination between local agencies and federal postal investigators because USPS employees and mail matter are protected under federal law. In cases where a postal worker is attacked during official duties, prosecutors may pursue state charges, federal charges, or both, depending on the circumstances and evidence developed during the investigation.

At this stage, authorities have not publicly detailed whether the shooting was connected to robbery, an attempt to steal mail or postal keys, or a dispute unrelated to mail delivery. Investigators also have not released information indicating whether residents should take specific precautions beyond standard safety guidance.

Public cooperation remains a key part of the investigation

With suspect information still undisclosed, investigators often rely on canvassing neighborhoods for witness statements, reviewing nearby video surveillance, and reconstructing the victim’s route and last known contacts. Officials have urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

Graves’ death marks another instance of a public-service worker being killed while carrying out routine duties, underscoring the stakes of investigations that aim to establish what happened on Oxford Drive and who is responsible.