Augusta, GA
Murder suspect arrested after SWAT team surrounds Augusta home
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new details after authorities apprehended a murder suspect who was holed up for a time in a south Augusta home.
Deputies said the murder case was out of New York, and the suspect was being sought by the U.S. Marshals Service.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) SWAT team and the U.S. Marshals Service surrounded the home in the 2500 block of Smoketree Road.
A Richmond County Sheriff’s Office negotiator, the K-9 unit and the drone response team responded.
Central EMS and Augusta Fire Department personnel staged nearby in accordance with safety protocols, according to the sheriff’s office.
Upon arrival, deputies confirmed that at least two people were inside the home: an adult male and an adult female.
Officials say the female initially exited the home but, upon observing uniformed officers, was instructed to approach them. Instead, she returned inside against law enforcement orders.
Deputies secured the perimeter and advised nearby residents of the situation, requesting that some leave the immediate area for their safety.
An RCSO drone was deployed to monitor the scene and ensure situational awareness, and the roadway was blocked to prevent anyone from entering the potentially dangerous area, the agency says.
No one was injured, but it was tense leading up to the arrests, according to Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Chief Lewis Blanchard.
“We cleared all of the houses in the immediate area, we had a drone go up so we could deploy and make sure we could see all around in every area in case children are coming from school buses or anything like that, we had personnel … making sure nobody was allowed to come into the scene,” he said.
Snipers were also positioned on roofs around the area to assist in the operation.
According to the sheriff’s office, after around 45 minutes of communication, the female agreed to exit the home with her hands up. The male suspect followed close behind.
The male suspect, identified as Tyleek Estella, was taken into custody on warrants from another jurisdiction being served by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the sheriff’s office.
The female was charged with misdemeanor obstruction of a law enforcement officer for failing to follow lawful verbal commands, the agency says.
Copyright 2026 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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