Cops: Man charged in fatal DeKalb auto shop shooting claims self-defense

Robert Moon is charged in the death of a man in DeKalb County on Tuesday, police said.

Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Credit: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office

Robert Moon is charged in the death of a man in DeKalb County on Tuesday, police said.

A 60-year-old man charged with murder Tuesday says he shot another man at a DeKalb County business in self-defense, according to an incident report.

Police responded to Dr. Red Auto Paint and Body Shop at 4806 Covington Highway after the gunman’s son called 911 stating “his father shot at someone” about 4:40 p.m., a report obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday states.

The shooter, Robert Moon, told police he was inside the auto shop when Eggene Cofield, 31, asked about correcting the tint on his vehicle. Moon told Cofield he would fix the tint after completing another job, but Cofield went back to his vehicle and took out a long rifle, the report states.

According to the report, Moon said Cofield “slapped him with the butt of the rifle and attempted to run from the scene.”

Moon then fired a shot, which he told police was “in self-defense.” Cofield was struck in the back as he fled, Moon told officers.

Cofield ran into the auto shop, where he collapsed on the floor and was found by officers, police said. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Moon was detained at the scene and taken to DeKalb police headquarters for further investigation.

Police previously said a fight between the two men led to the shooting.

“During the altercation, Mr. Moon produced a firearm and shot the victim,” police said in a statement.

A warrant was eventually obtained and he was booked into jail by that evening on a charge of malice murder.