Augusta, GA
3 get life in prison for murder of Augusta smoke shop owner
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Three men have been sentenced to life in prison for last year’s murder of an Augusta smoke shop owner.
Antwan Herndon, Terrance Walker and Terry McClennon all entered guilty pleas in early December in the murder of Abdallah Rubeha, 29.
The murder happened during a robbery at the smoke shop, 2303 Lumpkin Road, around 9:30 p.m. Jan. 10, 2025.
PHOTO GALLERY: SUSPECTS IN SMOKE SHOP MURDER
According to the prosecution, the crime unfolded after the three suspects got into a car owned by Walker’s grandmother and drove from Burke County to Richmond County.
McClennon stayed in the car while Herndon and Walker went inside the smoke shop, authorities said.
The prosecution said Walker pointed the gun at Rubeha and asked him if he was “ready to die tonight.”
With the victim unwilling to open the cash register, Walker then shot him in the face “point blank,” according to the prosecution.
The prosecution said Rubeha fell to the floor near the cash register and Herndon then jumped over the counter to get to the register.
The suspects all began traveling back to Burke County, stopping at two gas stations to spend the stolen money, according to prosecutors.
Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit.
Walker was captured as he was running on foot, while Herndon and McClennon were taken into custody later.
According to court records:
- Walker pleaded guilty to malice murder, armed robbery and three firearm-possession offenses.
- McClennon pleaded guilty to felony murder, armed robbery and two firearm-possession offenses.
- Herndon pleaded guilty to felony murder.
The murder sent shockwaves through south Augusta at the time.
“Just a sweet soul was taken from everybody, and he didn’t deserve it,” said Mia Posey, Rubeha’s friend who owned a business nearby.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The South Augusta YMCA will not renew its lease at the Tobacco Road location, the Y confirmed.
The shopping center is being sold, and the current lease ends in October.
The Y has not announced a final day at the current location. Officials said they plan to announce that date and next steps for South Augusta later this month.
The YMCA said it still plans to serve South Augusta after the lease expires.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man who was previously wanted for questioning in an Augusta deadly shooting has now been charged with murder in the case, according to authorities.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says Kemfton Quewanaki Kenon, 27, was arrested on Friday in connection to the shooting death of Khyla Rodriguez, of Augusta.
Kenon is booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during a crime, according to jail bookings.
Rodriguez, 25, was found dead after deputies received a call about a shooting on May 15 at 1:11 a.m. on Cameron Drive.
The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 2:27 a.m.
Kenon was previously wanted for questioning in the case and was located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He was interviewed and arrested on an unrelated warrant.
Deputies were also interviewed two other subjects in the case. They were not arrested in the case.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – People who live in South Augusta are raising concerns about the future of the Family Y on Tobacco Road.
Officials say the facility has been operating at a loss for years, and have had a low number of memberships. The location also has a new owner. The cost of the lease is too high and the facility is also in need of renovations, which are said to be costly.
“The reality is we couldn’t afford the current lease that we were in,” said Catie McCauley, president and CEO of Family Y of Greater Augusta. “Over the last 10 years we’ve been subsidizing this lot. So we got to look at a model that we can sustain for the next several generations not just the next couple years.”
The location is set to close in October, but officials say they are working with community members and contractors for a new building that they can move into and are committed to staying in South Augusta.
Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps
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