Actor Tray Chaney, best known for his role as Malik “Poot” Carr on HBO’s The Wire, is facing a family crisis after a powerful tornado tore through his Henry County, Georgia home, leaving his 18-year-old son fighting for his life.
The EF-2 tornado struck the Locust Grove neighborhood on Thursday afternoon, destroying the Chaney family’s home of five years. During the storm, Chaney’s son, Malachi, was thrown nearly 300 feet—about the length of a football field—into the woods behind their house. He was found unconscious and critically injured, suffering from broken ribs and a fractured facial bone, and was rushed to the ICU at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Tray Chaney himself was briefly hospitalized with injuries but has since been released. In emotional social media posts, Chaney expressed his gratitude for neighbors who helped search for Malachi amid the rubble and shared updates on his son’s slow but hopeful recovery. “Me and my son went to war with a tornado. To be living and breathing, I know who God is,” Chaney said, emphasizing the life-changing impact of the disaster and the long road ahead for his family.
The tornado damaged at least structures in the area, with two homes—including the Chaney residence—completely destroyed. As the family navigates this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Malachi Chaney remains hospitalized, showing early signs of improvement, but will celebrate his 19th birthday in the hospital as he continues to recover.
