Woman shot in front of grandchildren at store

A 49-year-old woman was shot dead in front of her grandchildren Tuesday afternoon outside a Baldwin County convenience store, Sheriff Bill Massee said.

Rita Henon had just bought ice cream and a lottery ticket from the K & C Short Stop on Sparta Highway and walked out the door about 4:15 p.m.

“As she walked by with her grandchildren, he literally stepped out like he was assassinating her and shot her in the back of the head,” the sheriff said.

The killing at the store, just east of Milledgeville, was captured on surveillance video that’s “as graphic a video as you can imagine,” Massee said.

Investigators identified the man on the video as 35-year-old David Renfro, who lives a half mile away on Robins Drive Road.

“At this point in time we cannot give you any motive,” Massee said. “We’re familiar with Mr. Renfro. We’ve had some dealings with Mr. Renfro and his family for a long time. ... He’s had some mental health issues and we’ve transported him on several occasions and have responded to assist his family with Renfro’s behavior.”

Renfro ran from the scene. A little more than an hour later, authorities found Renfro at home with his family. He was arrested and charged with murder.

The sheriff said it could be “a classic case of mental health in Middle Georgia, and a lack of it.”

This story was originally published May 23, 2017 at 7:23 PM with the headline "Woman shot in front of grandchildren at store."