Investigators say the shooter should be considered armed and dangerous.
DECATUR, GA — Federal investigators are offering a $250,000 reward for information after a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier was shot and killed while delivering mail in a DeKalb County neighborhood, authorities said.
The reward, announced days after the killing, adds federal resources to a local investigation that has not yet produced an arrest or a public motive. Investigators are reviewing surveillance video, canvassing the area and asking for tips as the Postal Inspection Service and DeKalb County police work to identify who opened fire on the postal worker and why. The agency said the suspect should be treated as armed and dangerous.
The postal worker was identified as 31-year-old Dequavious Graves, who relatives said was known by the nickname “Quay.” Authorities said he was attacked while working his route Thursday evening, Feb. 12, in the 2700 block of Oxford Drive near Flat Shoals Road. Investigators said he was shot just before 7 p.m. while delivering mail, and he died from his injuries. By Monday and Tuesday, law enforcement and postal investigators had stepped up outreach in the neighborhood as word of the reward spread.
Family members said Graves had worked for the Postal Service for about three years and had been on the same route since he started. His mother, Shannon Graves, said the call about her son’s death did not feel real. “I kept telling them, ‘This is a dream,’” she said in an interview carried by television outlets. Relatives and friends described him as upbeat and generous, someone who helped others and brought energy to gatherings. “Whenever he walked into a room, you know he just brought his energy,” his cousin, Nosakhere Andrews, said.
Investigators have released few details about the shooter, but officials said they are reviewing video recorded by a nearby surveillance camera around the time of the shooting. DeKalb County police and federal investigators have been canvassing, asking neighbors what they saw and whether additional cameras captured useful images. The Postal Service has posted reward flyers in the area, and investigators have urged anyone with information to contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service tip line at 1-877-876-2455.
Authorities have not said whether Graves was targeted because of his job or for another reason. Investigators have also not announced any suspect description, vehicle information, or a weapon recovered in connection with the killing. The Postal Inspection Service said the reward is for information that leads to an arrest and conviction, a sign that investigators believe someone in the community may know who is responsible. In public statements and reporting, officials have emphasized that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.
The killing has shaken coworkers and residents in the southeast DeKalb area, where postal employees start routes from a nearby post office. The Postal Service said it was deeply saddened by the death and that counseling was being made available to Graves’ colleagues at the Wesley Chapel post office near Wesley Chapel and Snapfinger roads. Relatives said coworkers came to his mother’s home to pay their respects in the days after the shooting, offering quiet support even as the investigation continued.
Friends and family said Graves had interests beyond his day job, including making music and helping others develop their skills. Andrews said his cousin spent years encouraging him as a musician and producer, and he credited Graves for steady, behind-the-scenes help. Shannon Graves said people on her son’s route showed him kindness, offering snacks and water on hot days, and she believed he returned that kindness with a smile. Those close to him said they are now trying to hold on to those memories while waiting for answers.
As of Tuesday, investigators had not announced an arrest, and they had not released a motive or a detailed timeline of what led up to the shooting. Authorities said they will continue to review video, follow up on tips, and maintain a visible presence in the area while the reward remains available. The next expected milestone is a public update from investigators as new information is confirmed.
Author note: Last updated February 17, 2026.