Kern Place ‘hoarder’ who allegedly shot at city workers jailed on $250,000 bond

UPDATE, March 4: Police on Thursday identified the Kern Place resident accused of shooting at city workers trying to clean up his "unkempt yard" at 918 McKelligon Drive the day prior.

63–year-old Robert Hugh Moses is being held in the downtown jail on $250,000 bond on an aggravated assault charge.

Detectives said he fired on city employees from inside his house, where a search after Moses was arrested turned up decomposing dog carcass. Neighbors in a police report described Moses as a "hoarder" and "doomsday prepper."

In an arrest affidavit filed by police and obtained by ABC-7, Moses reportedly claimed to officers that he had shot at a burglar with his rifle. But the city workers told police that Moses actually shot at them through a window.

Court records reviewed by ABC-7 show Moses has prior arrests stretching back decades, including for assault on a public servant and attempted murder. The exact disposition of those cases was not immediately clear.

ORIGINAL REPORT, March 3: EL PASO, Texas -- A brief standoff with police took place Wednesday after a Kern Place resident allegedly fired gunshots at two city workers.

Officials said the Environmental Services Department employees were at the home in the 900 block of McKelligon Drive around 9:30 a.m. for a debris cleanup effort when the gunfire happened.

Authorities said the workers had a court warrant allowing them access to the property after it was cited on prior occasions for code violations.

No injuries occurred and police took the armed resident into custody on a charge of aggravated assault.

Ellen Smyth, the city's managing director of the ESD, issued the following statement about the incident...

“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.”

No further details were immediately available.