The wheels of justice have turned in Richland County, South Carolina, as a man has been sentenced to life in prison for a tragic 2026 murder. The case, which shook the local community, has finally reached its conclusion with a verdict that underscores the severity of the crime committed.
In a courtroom drama that captivated Columbia, Michael Andre Harper was found guilty of murder and a weapons charge in the death of Henry Durugbor, the owner of Jimmy’s Auto Repair. The sentencing on August 13, 2026, marked the end of a legal process that began with a fatal confrontation nearly two years prior.
The fatal confrontation at Jimmy’s Auto Repair
The events leading up to the murder began on July 30, 2026, when Harper visited Durugbor’s shop to address an issue with a defective truck he had purchased. What started as a heated argument escalated into a violent altercation, captured on surveillance footage. The video showed Harper damaging another vehicle on the property before drawing a gun and shooting Durugbor once in the upper body.
In a chilling turn of events, prosecutors revealed that Harper then stood over Durugbor and fired three more shots. The footage further showed Harper attempting to cover up evidence before leaving the scene and disposing of the gun. Durugbor’s body was discovered the following day, on July 31, 2026, and Harper was subsequently located and confessed to the killing.
A cold case that refuses to cool
While justice has been served in the case of Henry Durugbor, another case in Richland County remains unsolved after three decades. On August 17, 1996, 65-year-old Jack Robinson was killed after meeting with an unidentified man at the Rosewood Boat Landing. Witnesses reported hearing Robinson screaming for help and later seeing him emerge from nearby woods with stab wounds. Despite extensive investigative work, the case remains open.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with Robinson’s family, has renewed efforts to solve the case. Sheriff Leon Lott emphasized the department’s commitment to finding the person responsible, stating, “Three decades have passed since Jack Robinson was murdered, but the passage of time does not stop our commitment to finding the person responsible.” The department has released updated composite sketches of the suspect, hoping that new information will lead to a breakthrough.
Illegal gun possession lands man in federal prison
In a separate but related case, Carlos Lewis, a 46-year-old resident of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence, handed down on August 14, 2026, highlights the ongoing efforts to address gun violence and enforce firearm regulations in Richland County.
The case against Lewis began on March 4, 2026, when a Richland County deputy stopped an SUV and made contact with the passengers. Lewis, who was a passenger in the vehicle, admitted to having a gun after the deputy smelled marijuana. A search revealed a loaded 9 mm pistol in Lewis’s waistband. Lewis is prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions, including arson, burglary, and drug offenses.
A U.S. district judge sentenced Lewis to 57 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, underscoring the collaborative efforts to address gun crimes in the community.
