Warner Robins Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2024 Convenience Store Murder

HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – A Warner Robins man has been sentenced to life in prison following his conviction in a deadly shooting that unfolded outside a local convenience store last year.

On December 17, 2025, a Houston County jury found Javon Brenden Charles, 20, guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Kidnapping, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. The verdict was returned after a three-day jury trial in the Superior Court of Houston County.

Judge G. E. “Bo” Adams immediately sentenced Charles to life imprisonment, plus an additional five years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections.

The charges stem from an April 16, 2024 shooting at the Pleezing Food Store, located at 801 South Davis Drive in Warner Robins. Officers with the Warner Robins Police Department responded to reports of shots fired and found Zephaniah Langston suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the business.

Investigators determined that surveillance video captured the events leading up to the shooting. The footage showed Langston being held at gunpoint inside the store before being forced outside. Once outside, Langston was shot four times. During the confrontation, Langston managed to draw his own handgun and return fire, striking Charles twice. Langston later died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

After the shooting, Charles fled the scene but collapsed a short distance away in front of a residence on Oak Grove Road. Law enforcement officers located him, rendered medical aid, and he was transported to Atrium Health Navicent in Macon for treatment.

During the investigation, detectives recovered two bullets from Charles that were later ballistically matched to Langston’s handgun. Authorities also seized clothing worn by Charles during the crime, including a mask seen in the surveillance footage.

The case was prosecuted by Houston County Chief Assistant District Attorney Greg Winters and Assistant District Attorney Lina Khan. The investigation was led by Detective Matthew Brankley of the Warner Robins Police Department.