An 18-year-old Caledonia man, who had just graduated from high school earlier that day, was arrested after a fatal shooting Saturday night, according to Sheriff Eddie Hawkins.
Hawkins said deputies were dispatched to 136 Richards Lane in Caledonia about 7 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived they found Dustin Hoffpauir, 33, dead of a gunshot wound.
Justin Robert Coggins, 18, was arrested and charged with murder.
The victim was Coggins’ mother’s boyfriend, Hawkins said.
Although Hawkins said the motive for the shooting was believed to arise from domestic violence of some kind, details remain murky.
“We don’t know exactly what happened,” he said. “Nobody is talking to us right now, not the mother or the suspect. They both asked for an attorney, and we’re waiting for the attorney to arrive this morning.”
Hawkins was unable to say yet whether the shooting was in self-defense.
Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant said the body will be transported to the state crime lab for an autopsy.
If you have knowledge of this case or any additional information, please contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788 or call Golden Triangle Crimestoppers at 1-800-530-7151 of use the P3 Tips smartphone app. You will always remain anonymous when you send a tip through Crimestoppers, and you are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
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