BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The search continues for who killed a beloved Birmingham business owner last weekend. We’re told Cedric Mahaffey, 29, was also heavily involved in church outreach.
For those who knew Mahaffey, they say he could light up a room like no other.
“A funny and loving guy. He would carry the conversation in a group of people and he was just a good person to be around. You have those kind of extroverts and Cedric was an extrovert and he was loving and kind and generous,” the pastor said Alton Hardy of Urban Hope Community Church in Fairfield.
Mahaffey was known in Birmingham for his jewelry business, “Golds by Ced,” selling grills. He was also one of those who gave advice to the younger generation, according to his friend Pastor Hardy.
“Ced was part of what we call the movement here to rebuild Fairfield through marriage, family and men being good fathers and good husbands. He talked about it on his social media. He talked about it individually when he met with young men. He always pointed them in the right direction,” Hardy said.
Hardy still doesn’t believe what happened to Mahaffey after police say he was found shot to death over the weekend in the front room of a home off Francis Place Southwest.
“I’m still asleep. I met him on Thursday. He came here and we went to the Purple Onion in Hueytown and we met for about two and a half hours. We cried. We prayed. We talked about life and family and marriage,” Hardy said.
Hardy believes Mahaffey was trying to make a big difference in the community before his life was cut short. He is leaving a big hole in the hearts of those who knew him.
“It’s going to be hard shoes to fill. It’s not like God can’t do that. He had a big impact on his friends, his community east, west, south and north. He was loved,” Hardy said.
Pastor Hardy says Mahaffey was a core member of the church and even had a goal of becoming a pastor one day.
Hardy’s message to people who did this: There is a better way. He’s begging you to surrender.
If you know what happened, call Birmingham police at (205) 254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE WBRC FOX6 NEWS APP
Subscribe to our WBRC newsletter and get the latest local news and weather delivered straight to your email.
Copyright 2022 WBRC. All rights reserved.
