On a summer evening in Mullins, South Carolina, the life of 26-year-old Kenneth Lasane, Jr. was tragically cut short. An active-duty U.S. Army Material Specialist, he was home on leave to celebrate the birthday of a family friend on June 23, 2024. While at a party on Barnes Street, the Black / African American soldier was fatally shot. Remembered as a positive influence and a distinguished alumnus of Mullins High School, his death sent ripples of grief through the community that had watched him
grow.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect: 23-year-old Shaquan Ahmad Champion, also of Mullins. At the time of the incident, Champion was already out on bond for a previous attempted murder charge. Following the shooting of Lasane, Champion fled South Carolina. His escape was aided by two family members, 44-year-old Thomas Rashad Champion and 38-year-old Shaday Cash.
An interstate manhunt ensued, culminating in the apprehension of Shaquan Champion in Michigan. His alleged accomplices, Thomas Champion and Shaday Cash, were located and arrested in Ohio. The capture was facilitated by the use of Flock license plate reader technology. Shaquan Champion was subsequently charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Citing the gravity of the charges and his criminal history, a Marion County magistrate denied him bond. Thomas Champion and Shaday Cash are facing charges of accessory after the fact to felony murder. Their bonds were set at $50,000 and $25,000, respectively.
