Just after midnight on June 3, 2025, Greenville police were dispatched to the 3300 block of Nashville Avenue after reports of gunfire. Officers found 19-year-old Zavien Smallwood, a male, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They administered first aid before he was taken to Hunt Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. The shooting occurred around 12:42 a.m., and investigators marked the scene along Nashville Avenue while canvassing for witnesses and evidence.
Investigators said early on that the killing of Zavien Smallwood, age 19, appeared to stem from a domestic disturbance. According to police, a male suspect was identified, and the investigation remained active in the days that followed. Authorities asked anyone with information to contact Detective Henry Potts, indicating that no public announcement of an arrest had been made at that time. Local outlets echoed the department's update that a suspect had been identified but did not name the person, and no additional suspects were publicly announced.
Within the community, remembrance posts and memorial notices for Zavien Smallwood, 19, appeared online. An obituary announced plans for a celebration of life service in Greenville, while friends and family shared tributes and support through a public fundraiser that described the loss as senseless and far too soon. These memorials painted a picture of a teenager whose death left a sudden absence felt by those who knew him best.
