2 charged in Augusta Smoke Shop slaying; 1 still sought

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Two suspects have been charged in the armed robbery and murder of an employee at Augusta Smoke Shop, but authorities are still searching for the third.

The second suspect, Antwan Herndon, of Waynesboro, came forward to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office last week, authorities say.

Authorities say Herdon was extradited to Richmond County from Burke County on Friday.

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office investigators say they went to Burke County to question him.

Herndon gave investigators sufficient information for them to charge him in connection to the robbery/murder, according to authorities.

The first suspect, Terrance Walker, 22, was apprehended by Burke County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Team the night of the crime and has since been extradited to Richmond County, according to jail bookings.

Walker had not been cooperating with investigators regarding the other two suspects, investigators say.

The third suspect, identified as Terry McClennon, remains large, authorities say.

McClennon has multiple outstanding warrants through this agency to include murder and armed robbery.

He is known to frequent the 1000 block of Grubbs Street in Waynesboro, authorities say.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of McClennon, please get in touch with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened at the Smoke Shop, located at 2303 Lumpkin Road, around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 11.

A witness told authorities when she came into the store she found the victim lying on the floor and she called the police.

She said she did not know who shot the victim, authorities say.

The victim was identified as 29-year-old Abdallah Rubeha of Augusta, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

Deputies say they arrived to find Rubeha, an employee, had been shot at least once.

He was taken to Wellstar MCG Hospital, where he died at 7:35 a.m. on Saturday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

After the robbery, deputies were able to identify three suspects and their vehicle.

The vehicle was ed in Burke County, and Richmond County deputies reached out to the Burke County Sheriff’s Office with the information, according to officials.

Burke County deputies say they attempted a traffic stop at 11:25 p.m. Friday at Savannah Avenue and East 17th Street in Waynesboro.

Deputies in Burke County pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase, which turned into a foot pursuit, officials say.

The driver, Walker, was arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in Richmond County.

According to Burke County deputies, another person was in the enger’s seat and is believed to be connected to the robbery.

Burke County deputies say they also found a black Taurus G2C 9 mm handgun believed to have been stolen during the armed robbery.

Walker faces additional charges in Richmond and Burke counties, including driving under the influence, according to jail bookings.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Rubeha.

The year is off to a deadly start in Augusta; this is already the third homicide of 2025.

The slayings come amid a nearly three-year outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed around 200 lives.

Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River, but as the region’s largest city, Augusta has been hit hard.

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