Suspect in Decatur postal worker killing appears in court on separate 2024 Atlanta student-housing murder charge
Two homicide investigations converge around one defendant
A man accused in the fatal shooting of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier in Decatur is also facing prosecution in a separate 2024 killing near a student housing complex in northwest Atlanta, placing two high-profile investigations on parallel tracks in Metro Atlanta courts.
The defendant, Nahjel Williams, has been charged by DeKalb County police in the death of Dequavious Graves, 31, a USPS letter carrier who was shot while delivering mail in Decatur. Graves was killed on Feb. 12, 2026, near his postal vehicle on Oxford Drive shortly before 7 p.m.
Decatur killing: ongoing investigation and jurisdictional layers
The investigation into Graves’ death has involved multiple agencies, including federal authorities. A reward of up to $250,000 was announced during the investigation as officials sought information leading to an arrest and conviction in the on-duty homicide of a postal employee.
Williams was taken into custody during an operation that included the execution of a search warrant near the area where Graves was killed. Authorities have described the shooting as intentional and have not publicly detailed a motive.
Separate 2024 case: homicide near Westmar Student Lofts
In the second case, Williams has been accused in the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old man near Westmar Student Lofts on West Marietta Street in Atlanta. Police were called to the location on Aug. 1, 2024, where the victim was found shot to death. The victim’s name has not been publicly released in some reporting, while other coverage has identified the victim as Donato Bradford and placed the incident date on July 30, 2024.
In that Atlanta case, Williams faces charges including murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Authorities have not released detailed public accounts of what led up to the shooting.
Questions raised about supervision and housing settings
After Williams’ arrest in the postal worker case, additional scrutiny fell on the residence where he was reportedly staying. The location was described by officials and residents as a “house for returning citizens,” and county officials have stated that DeKalb County does not require state licensing for such facilities. Neighbors reported learning of the home’s use only after the arrest.
What happens next
Investigators are continuing to develop evidence in the Decatur postal worker killing, including witness information and any available surveillance footage.
Prosecutors are advancing the separate Atlanta murder case tied to the student-housing area, where Williams has already been formally charged.
Authorities have indicated that custody and charging decisions may proceed across multiple jurisdictions as the two cases move through court.
Williams is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.