Man convicted in deadly shooting at Stone Mountain gas station, gets life sentence

DEKALB COUNTY GA- Jedidja Mbungu, 30, was convicted this week and sentenced to serve life plus 5 years for the murder of 20-year-old DeA’Andre Jones. Mbundu gunned down Jones, who was unarmed, after an altercation at a Stone Mountain gas station.

Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Monday, Oct. 30, against Mbungu, on charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony in connection with the fatal shooting ton Aug. 29, 2020, DEKALB COUNTY District Attorney Sherry Boston’s office announced.

According to the investigation, 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 carrying borrowed firearm in his bag in search of Jones,  whom he knew frequented the gas station. The two had had prior interactions, police said.

A security guard witnessed  Mbungu walking through the gas station pointing out Jones and noting that Jones didn’t have a gun, authorities said.

Mbungu and Jones crossed paths in the middle of Rockbridge Road, looked at each other, and Jones continued walking.  Mbungu then turned and ran back toward 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, police said.

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, investigators said.

U.S. Marshals and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office visited  Mbungu’s home and spoke with his family, who said they would try to get Mbungu to turn himself in. His family transported him to DeKalb County Jail to surrender on Sept. 4.

DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Courtney Johnson, who presided over the trial, sentenced 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.