Executive Summary
- David Hanna, 28, has been charged with murder in the 2019 shooting death of Akii McFadden.
- The Lake City Police Department reopened the cold case in July under the direction of Investigator Yvonne McKnight.
- The victim’s mother, Kisha Mills, praised the investigator’s efforts to solve the case after nearly six years.
- Hanna remains in custody without bond at the Florence County Detention Center.
Authorities in Lake City, South Carolina, have charged a 28-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting of Akii McFadden, a cold case dating back to Christmas Eve of 2019. According to the Lake City Police Department (LCPD), the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in an investigation that had remained unsolved for several years.
LCPD Investigator Yvonne McKnight confirmed that David Hanna was arrested and charged with murder last month. McFadden was shot to death on Independence Boulevard in Lake City in 2019. Investigator McKnight stated that she reopened the case in July, dedicating extensive hours to reviewing case notes and security footage to identify the suspect. “You have to treat every case as if it just happened,” McKnight said regarding the renewed investigative push.
Kisha Mills, the victim’s mother, expressed profound relief at the development. Speaking to local reporters, Mills credited McKnight’s determination for the breakthrough, describing the investigator as “heaven-sent.” Mills admitted that prior to the arrest, she had feared she would not live to see justice for her son. “I no longer felt heavy. I was in shock because, in all honesty, I didn’t think this was going to take place,” Mills stated.
Mills indicated she is unaware of any connection between her son and the suspect. While she expressed gratitude for the arrest, she emphasized her desire for the legal process to proceed correctly. “I don’t want anything rushed. I want the timing to be perfect. So everything can fall into place, and true justice is served,” Mills said.
Procedural Next Steps
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding McFadden’s death remains active as prosecutors prepare the case. David Hanna is currently detained without bond at the Florence County Detention Center. As the judicial process moves forward, it is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
