A dispute over a $15 deposit for a lash appointment has turned into a capital murder case after a 23-year-old pregnant woman was fatally shot outside her Mobile, Alabama, home.
Kanedrea Davis, 29, is accused of shooting and killing Chyna Hickman, a young mother and lash technician, during a confrontation that investigators say stemmed from a disagreement over money.
Mobile police initially arrested Davis on a murder charge following the July 10 shooting. Prosecutors later upgraded the case to capital murder, alleging Hickman was killed while pregnant and that her unborn child also died.
According to police, officers responded to the 1000 block of Anders Drive shortly after 8:15 p.m. on July 10 after receiving reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Hickman suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
Hickman was transported to the hospital, where she died. An autopsy later confirmed that she was pregnant.
Hickman was also a mother of two, according to her family. Her loved ones say she was working as a lash technician and had been promoting a lash special on social media when the dispute began.
What investigators say happened
During a preliminary hearing on Aug. 13, Mobile homicide detective Anthony Blackman testified about evidence investigators say they collected during the investigation.
According to the detective, Davis contacted police after the confrontation and claimed she had gone to Hickman’s home because she wanted to recover her $15. Davis allegedly told investigators that Hickman became aggressive during the encounter.
Investigators also reviewed Ring doorbell footage from the area.
According to testimony reported by FOX10, the footage allegedly showed Davis driving past Hickman’s home several times while arguing with her. Investigators said Davis could be heard making threats to shoot up Hickman’s house.
Hickman allegedly responded by asking Davis if she was going to shoot her.
A neighbor reportedly told investigators that she heard the argument and then saw Hickman get shot in the chest.
The confrontation ended with Hickman being shot outside her home.
Mobile police identified Davis as a suspect during the investigation and arrested her on July 11, one day after the shooting. She was transported to the Mobile County Metro Jail.
Her case was subsequently upgraded from murder to capital murder after investigators learned Hickman was pregnant.
If convicted of capital murder, Davis could potentially face life in prison without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they will seek the death penalty.
At the preliminary hearing, Davis’ defense attorney, Tom Walsh, said the defense was hearing much of the evidence for the first time.
Walsh said his team still needed to review discovery, including video evidence, before making a full assessment of the allegations against Davis.
Davis has denied the allegations and entered a plea of not guilty to the capital murder charge, according to later local reporting.
Hickman’s death has left her family devastated, particularly her young children.
Her mother, Chasity Bell, spoke about the heartbreaking aftermath and said Hickman’s 3-year-old son continues asking for his mother.
“She was loved by a lot of people,” Bell said, describing her daughter’s death as devastating for the entire family.
Hickman’s family and friends have also gathered to remember her following the shooting.
For those who knew Hickman, what began as an ordinary business interaction over a beauty appointment ended in an unimaginable tragedy.
The case is now moving forward to a Mobile County grand jury, which will determine whether Davis will be formally indicted. Prosecutors say their decision regarding the death penalty will come as the investigation and court proceedings continue.
Davis remains presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty in court.
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