In the summer of 2023, the life of 47-year-old Michael Douglas 'Mikey' Gravely was cut short in a fatal shooting in Cartersville, Georgia. On the evening of June 21st, Bartow County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call of shots fired on Pine Ridge Drive NW. Upon arrival, they discovered Gravely lying on the ground between two buildings, suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower back. He was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to a suspect. Within hours of the incident, authorities arrested 34-year-old Alexander Bradley Smart of Taylorsville. Smart was taken into custody without incident and subsequently charged with the murder of Michael Gravely. He was then booked into the Bartow County Adult Detention Center, where he was held without bond. The motive for the shooting was not immediately released by investigators.
In a turn of events, the legal proceedings against Alexander Smart would not reach a conclusion. On April 16, 2024, while still in custody at the Bartow County Sheriff's Office Adult Detention Center, Smart passed away. Authorities have stated that no foul play is suspected in his death. The investigation into his death is ongoing.
Michael Gravely was remembered as a loving father to two daughters. A GoFundMe page was established to assist his family with funeral expenses. The page described him as a man who had worked hard to overcome personal challenges and was dedicated to his children, especially after the loss of their mother two years prior.
