In the early hours of July 2, 2000, Melvin Grigley, a 51-year-old veteran of the Atlanta Police Department, was fatally shot during an attempted carjacking. A Sergeant with 26 years of service, he was off-duty and visiting a friend in College Park when the incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. in the driveway of the home.
Three teenagers, later identified as Leslie Singleton, Michael Waters, and David Brandon Mierez, approached Grigley's vehicle with the intent to steal it.
As they attempted to take the car, Grigley identified himself as a police officer, and an exchange of gunfire ensued. During the shootout, Grigley was struck in the chest and mortally wounded. Before succumbing to his injuries, he was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects. The weapon used by the suspects had been stolen from an undercover sheriff's deputy just days prior.
In the days following the shooting, all three suspects were apprehended. The shooter, who was 16 years old at the time, was charged with murder. Ultimately, all three individuals were convicted for their roles in the death of Sergeant Grigley. Michael Waters and David Brandon Mierez, both 17 at the time of the crime, accepted plea deals to testify against Leslie Singleton. On March 21, 2001, Singleton was convicted of felony murder and aggravated assault. All three were sentenced to life in prison.
