On the night of February 19, 2023, 32-year-old Akili K. Moffett was fatally shot outside "The O" Hookah Lounge in northwest Fresno, California. The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. at the Herndon Place Shopping Center, located near Milburn and Herndon Avenues. Moffett, along with 41-year-old Felix Hawkins, was involved in a physical altercation during a private event attended by approximately 30 to 50 people.
The confrontation escalated when one or more individuals produced a firearm, resulting in both men being shot.
Hawkins, the son of former Fresno City Councilmember Cynthia Sterling, was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Moffett sustained a single gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center by private individuals, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath of the shooting, detectives collected multiple shell casings from the scene but did not recover any firearms. The exact number of shooters involved remains undetermined. Authorities have been reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the sequence of events. However, many attendees had left the scene before police arrived, complicating the investigation.
As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths of Moffett and Hawkins. The Fresno Police Department continues to seek information from the public to identify the suspect or suspects involved. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Fresno Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Moffett's passing was deeply felt by his family and friends. Born on March 17, 1989, he was remembered during visitation and funeral services held in March 2023 at Jesse E. Cooley Jr. Funeral Service Inc., followed by burial at Belmont Memorial Park.
