MAN CONVICTED IN DEADLY SHOOTING AT STONE MOUNTAIN GAS STATION
State v. Jedidja Mbungu
Decatur, Ga.- DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announces a conviction by jury trial in the case against a man accused of shooting another man in the back of the head at a Stone Mountain gas station.
Jurors returned guilty verdicts Monday against Jedidja Mbungu, 30, on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony in connection with an incident that occurred on August 29, 2020.
According to the investigation, Defendant Mbungu traveled to the Chevron Gas Station located at 410 S. Stone Mountain Lithonia Road in Stone Mountain wearing a bullet proof vest under his t-shirt and a borrowed firearm in his bag. He knew the victim, De’Andre Jones, 20, frequented the gas station. The two had had prior interactions.
A security guard witnessed Defendant Mbungu walking through the gas station pointing out Jones and noting that Jones didn’t have a gun.
Mbungu and Jones crossed paths in the middle of Rockbridge Road, looked at each other, and Jones continued walking. Defendant Mbungu then turned and ran back towards Jones yelling at him. He pulled a gun and fired, striking Jones.
When DeKalb County Police arrived at the scene, they discovered Jones lying in the middle of the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Jones was unarmed.
Several witnesses provided a description of the suspect, who had fled. Officers were familiar with Mbungu based on prior calls involving altercations, and the incident was captured on surveillance footage.
U.S. Marshals and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office visited Defendant Mbungu’s home and spoke with his family, who indicated they would try to get Mbungu to turn himself in. His family transported him to DeKalb County Jail on September 4.
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who presided over the trial, sentenced Defendant Mbungu to life in prison, plus 5 years suspended for the firearm charge.
The case, assigned to the Homicide and Gangs Unit, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Helen Pott with assistance from Senior ADA Darlene Childers, DA Investigator Curtis Averhart, and Victim Advocate Jozlyn Varnedoe. DeKalb County Police Department Detective Prince Wright led the initial investigation.