Calvin Lavell Garron

Calvin Lavell Garron, a devoted father and grandfather originally from Chicago, Illinois, was known by his loved ones for his work ethic and commitment to his family. Born on September 25, 1971, he attended Carver High School in Chicago before eventually settling in Fridley, Minnesota. Over the years, he worked at local businesses, including Target and Old Country Buffet. A loving father to 11 children and a doting grandfather to seven, the 51-year-old Black / African American man is deeply missed by a large family who continue to seek answers in his sudden and violent death.

On the evening of Friday, December 16, 2022, the sun had just set in the suburban city of Fridley. At approximately 5:15 p.m., emergency responders were dispatched to the 6000 block of East River Road Northeast following a report of a man lying in the street. Near the address of 6080 East River Road, close to R.L. Stevenson Elementary School, they found Calvin Garron suffering from grave injuries. Despite the immediate medical intervention by Fridley police officers and paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Garron died from head trauma consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle. Investigators from the Anoka County Sheriff's Office concluded that Garron was the victim of a hit-and-run. The driver of the unknown vehicle fled the scene immediately after the collision and has never been identified. At the time he was struck, Garron was wearing a dark-colored jacket, blue jeans, and black and white shoes, and he was carrying items in a plastic bag.

The investigation into Calvin Garron's death was launched by the Fridley Police Department and later assigned to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Homicide Unit under case number 22-278909. From the beginning, the case was hampered by a lack of evidence. No witnesses to the collision have ever come forward, and authorities have not publicly identified any surveillance footage that captured the incident or the fleeing vehicle. Based on debris collected at the scene and the nature of Garron’s injuries, investigators believe the suspect vehicle sustained damage to its front end and/or undercarriage.

In the years since Garron's death, his family has endured the heavy burden of not knowing who was responsible. Relatives have described the absence of answers and accountability as a source of ongoing pain and a lack of closure. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office has made repeated public appeals for information, including on the anniversaries of the hit-and-run, hoping that someone will come forward with a crucial piece of information.

As of December 2025, the case officially remains unsolved, with no arrests made and no suspects publicly identified. Investigators continue to ask for help from anyone who may have been in the area of East River Road between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on December 16, 2022. They are also interested in hearing from anyone who may recall a vehicle with sudden, unexplained front-end damage around that time. Authorities stress that even a seemingly minor detail could be the key to breaking the case open.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office. Tips can be directed to Detective Ryan Franklin at 763-324-5210 or via email at [email protected]. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-TIPS.