A former high school football player remembered as a "gentle giant," Treyvon J. Grandison was just 23 years old when his life was cut short by gunfire in downtown Augusta, Georgia. A graduate of Westside High School, Treyvon had been a defensive lineman for the school's Patriots football team. After graduating, he continued his athletic and academic pursuits, joining the football program at Manchester University in Indiana as a freshman, where he planned to study sports medicine. His life, however, took a different path, and he was back in his hometown of Augusta, working to build a future for himself.
His mother, Tanisha Grandison, described him as a young man with a "loving and caring heart." In a statement following his death, she said, "My heart is broken as I mourn my son, Trey Grand... He was hardworking and focused on doing his job, not out hanging around." This work ethic was evident on the night he was killed.
Treyvon was reportedly working as a security guard at a bar in the 900 block of Broad Street, a downtown area known for its nightlife but also marked by past incidents of violence.
In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 31, 2026, violence erupted at the intersection of Broad Street and 10th Street. The Richmond County Sheriff's Office responded to calls of shots fired in the area. Treyvon had been shot at least once. Emergency crews rushed him to the Wellstar MCG Hospital emergency room, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead at 1:52 a.m. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the exact cause of his death.
The investigation into Treyvon’s murder began immediately, led by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Within hours, investigators identified a primary suspect. The sheriff's office announced it had obtained arrest warrants for 18-year-old Saveon Middleton, who was wanted for murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Authorities warned that Middleton was believed to be armed and dangerous.
As the investigation broadened, the sheriff's office also sought the public's help in locating four other young men they needed to question in connection with the homicide. They released "Be On the Lookout" (BOLO) alerts for Zaequan Middleton, 18; Xavier Olds, 21; Jayden Olds, 21; and Marcus Griffin, 17. The downtown intersection where the shooting occurred had been a focus for law enforcement in previous years due to other violent incidents, prompting increased patrols, but this tragedy unfolded despite those efforts.
In the wake of the shooting, Treyvon's mother pleaded for anyone with information to come forward. "His life was taken while he was simply trying to work, and our family is left with unimaginable pain and questions," Tanisha Grandison wrote. "Even the smallest detail could help bring answers and justice for Trey’von. Please keep our family in your prayers. We miss and love him more than words can express."
As of the latest available reports from late 2026, the investigation was ongoing. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office had publicly identified a suspect and persons of interest, but updates regarding their apprehension or the progression of the case have not been made available. The community was left mourning a young life lost and hoping for justice. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the individuals named or details about the shooting was asked to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1026 or 706-821-1020.
