21-year-old charged in deadly Covington gas station shooting appears in court

Download the FREE FOX19 NOW news app for iPhone

Download the FREE FOX19 NOW news app for Android

COVINGTON, Ky. (WXIX) – A deadly Covington shooting investigation is now moving into the courtroom after the man accused of pulling the trigger made his first appearance before a judge.

Kenton County District Judge Ann Ruttle laid out the seriousness of the murder charge that 21-year-old Andrew Combs is facing after he allegedly shot and killed a man at a Covington gas station Saturday.

“It carries with it numerous penalties depending on the facts of the case and what can be proven, but 25 to life or life without parole or the death penalty,” Ruttle explained in the courtroom.

Court documents reveal the shooting happened outside the Speedway on 4th Street just before 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

According to Covington police, store surveillance video captured Combs firing multiple shots at Antonio Hinkston, who later died from his wounds.

The citation says Combs told investigators he had never met Hinkston but felt compelled to shoot him after Hinkston walked in front of him and struck him in the head.

Covington police said they have video that shows Hinkston walking away from Combs and then moving to the rear of the store before Combs pulled out a handgun and started shooting. Police say Hinkston was unarmed.

Judge Ruttle asked Combs if he could afford an attorney.

“Are you able to hire an attorney to represent you on this, Mr. Combs?” the judge asked.

“My mom might be trying to…I’m not for sure. I still have to talk to her,” Combs responded.

The judge said Combs will be held at the Kenton County Detention Center with no bond and that she’ll appoint a public defender.

The judge said if Combs does get one, his mother can let the public defender’s office know.

A member of Combs’ family, who did not want to go on camera, said that Combs was defending himself against an attack from Hinkston.

Covington police have not yet released the surveillance video.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.