In the holiday season of 2019, the community of Lake City, South Carolina, was shaken by a violent tragedy. On the evening of December 24th, Christmas Eve, Akii McFadden, a 25-year-old male, was fatally shot on Independence Avenue. The incident cut short the life of a young man who had graduated from Lake City High School in 2013 and was described by those who knew him as funny, laid back, and the life of the party.
The suddenness and timing of his death, just four days after his birthday, sent ripples of grief and shock through his family and friends.
For nearly six years, the case of Akii McFadden's death remained a painful, unanswered question for his loved ones and the Lake City community. His father, in particular, clung to faith and a belief in the justice system, all while enduring the profound pain of losing his only son. The years that followed were filled with waiting and wondering about the circumstances that led to the tragic event on that Christmas Eve.
A significant breakthrough in the long-unresolved case came in November 2025. Authorities announced the arrest of 28-year-old David Kurt Hannah in connection with the 2019 shooting. Hannah was taken into custody and is being held at the Florence County Detention Center, facing charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. While the arrest brought a measure of relief to Akii McFadden's family, his father expressed that he holds no ill will towards the suspect, instead placing his trust in the judicial process to deliver the justice his son deserves. As the legal proceedings against Hannah begin, authorities have indicated that more arrests may be forthcoming in the ongoing investigation.
