EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — On Thursday, the El Paso Police Department identified the man accused of shooting at two city employees on Wednesday morning as 63-year-old Robert Hugh Moses.
According to the EPPD, officers were called about 9:30 a.m. to a home in the 900 block of McKelligon Drive in Kern Place on Thursday. A resident, Moses, had called police to advise them he had shot at burglars.
Investigators with EPPD’s Crimes Against Persons Unit found that Moses had been previously warned about his unkempt yard. Two Environmental Services employees wearing city reflective vests arrived at Moses’ home on Wednesday morning to clear the overgrown vegetation from the yard. According to the employees, they attempted to notify Moses after they saw him on the sidewalk.
He then went inside the home and would not answer knocks on the door. The employees then started to clear the yard when Moses shot at them from a window, according to EPPD. The shots missed the employees and struck a rockwall.
When officers arrived, Moses surrendered himself and the rifle he used in the shooting.
EPPD detectives executed a search warrant inside the home and discovered a decomposing dog carcass.
According to an affidavit, neighbors described Moses as a hoarder and as a doomsday prepper who “misunderstands protection of property, pro castle doctrine, paints his house and trees with purple paint to keep people out … [is] critical of government goint on to his property to cut branches and wood because it is food to him … “
According to the affidavit, Moses stated that it would be the city’s fault if they trespass because of the purple paint and that he is properly armed.
Moses was arrested and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $250,000 bond.
Earlier:
El Paso Police units responded to a home on Wednesday at McKelligon Drive in Kern Place after a man allegedly attempted to shoot at City employees who arrived to clear excess debris from the property, according to a neighbor.
It happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday on McKelligon Drive and Kelly Way. The El Paso Police Department said two Environmental Services employees arrived to clear excess debris and overgrown weeds on the property after receiving a warrant to do so. The homeowner came outside and shot towards the employees. Neither was hit in the incident.
A statement has been issued on behalf of City of El Paso Managing Director Ellen Smyth and it reads:
“We are beyond saddened and shocked by the incident that took place this morning, and grateful that it did not result in a greater tragedy. Our thoughts are with our employees who were subjected to the violence. The safety of the public and of our employees is a top priority for our organization. We are also thankful to El Paso Police for their immediate assistance in responding to the emergency.”
Ellen Smyth
Mesita Elementary was briefly on lockout as a precaution but has now resumed normal instruction according to district officials.
EPPD confirms the man has been charged with Aggravated Assault and Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating. The suspect has yet to be identified.
