In the quiet community of Warrenville, South Carolina, the life of 52-year-old Joseph Allen 'Joey' Keenan, a white male, was abruptly and violently cut short. On January 31, 2024, a passerby made a grim discovery on the front porch of Keenan's residence at 2032 Augusta Road: his lifeless body. The ensuing investigation by the Aiken County Sheriff's Office would soon uncover a story of a fatal confrontation rooted in theft.
An autopsy confirmed the tragic reality that Keenan had been a victim of homicide, having succumbed to a gunshot wound.
The investigation quickly gained momentum, and within days, authorities had identified two suspects. On February 8, 2024, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of 26-year-old Austin Blake Satcher and 28-year-old Zackery Taylor Smith. Smith was apprehended at a residence on Pelzer Street in Warrenville, while Satcher was already in custody on unrelated charges. Both men faced serious accusations in connection with Keenan's death.
Arrest warrants revealed a chilling sequence of events. It is alleged that Keenan discovered Zackery Taylor Smith on his property. In the ensuing confrontation, Austin Blake Satcher is accused of shooting Keenan in the back. Following the fatal shooting, Satcher and Smith allegedly burglarized Keenan's home, stealing his work truck, tools, and a trailer. Both Satcher and Smith were charged with murder and burglary, with Satcher facing an additional charge for possession of a weapon during a violent crime. It was also noted that both suspects had prior criminal records involving weapons and drugs.
