Following a 23-day search, Charlottesville police arrested Yuhanna Hafeez, 19, Wednesday afternoon for the shooting death of Charlottesville resident Benjamin Willis, 24.
Police charge that Hafeez had been on the lam ever since he allegedly killed Willis outside a Prospect Avenue apartment complex Aug. 29, where Willis and a group of individuals were gathered that Tuesday afternoon.
Detectives found Hafeez hiding in the attic of his sister's home at 630A Prospect Ave., a block from the shooting. Police thought no one actually lived in the house, but when detectives discovered that the supposedly abandoned home still was receiving gas utility services, they decided to do a "knock and talk."
After about five minutes, a woman police identified as Hafeez's girlfriend came to the door and denied that Hafeez was in the residence.
A fresh handprint on a door in the house led police to check the attic. There they found Hafeez hiding, Det. Wendy Lewis said. He immediately was taken into custody.
Police investigators said they found a .38 caliber handgun in the apartment, the same kind of weapon used to kill Willis. Lewis said she believed other arrests are coming in the case for individuals who were accessories in Hafeez's attempt to avoid detection.
Hafeez has been charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm in commission of a murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
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