In what was described by a law enforcement official as a 'textbook assassination,' Rita Faye Henon, a 49-year-old grandmother, was tragically killed on May 23, 2017. The shocking event unfolded in Milledgeville, Georgia, as Henon was leaving the K&C Short Stop convenience store with her two grandchildren. In a horrifying ambush captured on surveillance video, a man stepped out from behind an ice container and shot her in the head.
Her grandchildren, who were with her at the time of the incident, were physically unharmed and are now with family members.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect through the surveillance footage and witness statements. David Renfro, a 35-year-old who lived about a mile from the gas station, was arrested and charged with her murder. Authorities reported that there was no immediately apparent connection between Renfro and Henon, leading them to believe it was a random act of violence. One investigator stated that it appeared Renfro would have shot whoever was the next person to walk out of the store. Renfro was subsequently held in the Baldwin County jail without bond.
Further investigation into David Renfro's background revealed a history of mental illness, which was being considered as a possible factor in the shooting. While he had been in the Baldwin County jail on five previous occasions since 2002 and had a felony charge, he had no prior history of violent crimes. In May 2019, David Renfro was found guilty on all counts related to the murder of Rita Henon and was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 40 years.
