District Attorney determines shooter to be acting in self-defense in shooting death

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - District Attorney Dan Rubinstein has decided not to file charges against Dylan Boyle, 25, who was involved in the shooting death of Robert Deffenbaugh, 41, on March 14, 2022. The shooting occurred at the 29 Mile Apartments at 7:27 a.m.

According to the DA’s letter, Deffenbaugh approached Boyle asking for a ride to the gas station to purchase gas for his vehicle.

Boyle declined, and Deffenbaugh became agitated and proceeded to strike Boyle with a wrench, hitting him above the eye. Then Boyle retrieved “bear mace” from his vehicle and sprayed Deffenbaugh. At that moment, Deffenbaugh ran away, returning with a four-way tire wrench, which he threw at Boyle’s vehicle, denting it.

The letter states that Boyle grabbed his handgun from his vehicle and ordered Deffenbaugh not to approach him, but Deffenbaugh proceeded to walk toward him, and Boyle shot Deffenbaugh.

Rubinstein concluded Boyle was acting in self-defense; it was “justified as lawful self-defense” to save his own life.