Dozens gather for rosary, visitation to honor teenage boys killed in Harris County
Family and friends gathered at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus Monday evening to say goodbye to Luke Brady Swinyard, 16, and John Brayden Swinyard, 14, following their sudden deaths in Harris County last week.
The two teenagers were killed last week by their step-father, 50-year-old Eric Grigsby, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Grigsby was killed by law enforcement during the altercation after firing at officers, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Dozens of people gathered to say the rosary, a set of various catholic prayers that reflect on the life of Jesus Christ.
After the Rosary, Very Rev. Scott Winchel, prayed for God to grant Luke and Brayden, “a place of happiness, light and peace, in your kingdom.”
The doors to the sanctuary opened for visitation after the rosary, where dozens more showed up to show their support to the family and pay their final respects.
Who were Luke and Brayden Swinyard?
Luke was a junior at Harris County High who loved video games, soccer, “The Walking Dead” and “Attack on Titan,” according to the brothers’ obituary.
Brayden attended Harris County Carver Middle School and was a theater enthusiast who had just completed a performance he was proud of in a school play, according to the obituary. The obituary says he also enjoyed parkour and scary movies.
“The boys were full of life and enjoyed being with family and friends,” the obituary says. “We will miss their presence daily, but their memory will live forever in our hearts.”
Their deaths
A news release from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded on Nov. 17 to the 100 block of Christophers Way in Midland to an ongoing domestic issue.
Harris County 911 advised responding deputies the male occupant of a residence, later identified as Grigsby, was threatening to kill children at the home. Grigsby was observed walking from around the driveway towards deputies with two handguns in his hands, according to the news release.
The news release says deputies commanded Grigsby to stop and drop the weapons, but he pointed the weapons at deputies. Deputies shot Grigsby, and Grigsby returned fire, according to the HCSO, so deputies returned fire until Grigsby was on the ground and not moving.
“After the shooting, deputies secured the home and discovered the bodies of two minors inside,” a news release from the GBI says. “Grigsby was reportedly the stepfather of the minors,” the GBI news release says.
The GBI was asked to do a follow-up investigation because the shooting involved an officer, according to the HCSO.
The GBI hasn’t responded to requests for comment about the status of the investigation.
Family raises money to cover funeral costs
A GoFundMe set up to cover the expenses of the funeral and other costs had raised more than $32,000 as of Tuesday afternoon. The goal for the fundraiser was previously set at $30,000, but had increased to $35,000.
More than 300 donations had been made.
The fundraiser was set up by John Swinyard, the father of the boys, according to their obituary.
This story was originally published November 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM.