On the night of April 4, 2024, 27-year-old Nicolas Grierson, a Black/African American man, was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle at a gas station at 3316 Snapfinger Road in Stonecrest, Georgia. Authorities say the shooting occurred during what is believed to have been a drug-related transaction; as Grierson attempted to drive away an assailant outside the car fired a shot that struck him in the neck. The vehicle rolled across the street and struck several objects before coming to rest. Responding officers found Grierson deceased inside the car.

Investigators quickly developed leads tying the killing to a larger criminal enterprise. A tip from Texas law enforcement about four armed robbery suspects believed to be in DeKalb County led officers to a Lithonia residence at 3111 Cleethropes Drive. On April 5, 2024, police executed search and arrest warrants there and arrested 20 people without incident. Officers recovered 20 firearms, including some classified as machine guns with illegal mechanical switches, and a quantity of illegal drugs.

Four of those arrested — Fratav ic Goodwin, Amarion Pitts, Joshua Thomas and Jerry Johnson — were charged in connection with the armed robbery and the death of Nicolas Grierson. Other arrestees faced drug, firearms and Gang Act charges. Does anyone have information about Grierson’s movements that night or about the gas station location?