A person wearing an Amazon delivery vest swings their fist at a man in a convenience store in Elk Grove, California (Buzbee Law Firm).
An Amazon delivery driver punched an elderly man hard enough to send him onto the floor of a California convenience store in apparent anger over the victim taking a parking spot from him, authorities say.
Terrence Wheeler, 30, has been charged with felony elder abuse, felony criminal threats, and misdemeanor battery in connection with the incident, the Elk Grove Police Department told Law&Crime.
The alleged attack occurred in the spring.
On March 30, a 71-year-old man stopped at a gas station and convenience store in Elk Grove, California. According to Tony Buzbee, who is representing the victim in a civil case against Amazon, the man — an auditor of agricultural and animal production facilities — needed to use the bathroom and wanted a soft drink.
The man pulled into a parking spot at the establishment on the 8300 block of Sheldon Road. At the same time, Wheeler was delivering items on behalf of Amazon, and he "became upset because he had intended to park in the same" spot, according to police.
"The Amazon driver reacted hyper aggressively," Buzbee said. Wheeler allegedly first confronted the man in the parking lot before following him into the store.
"I'll beat your a—," the man alleged to be Wheeler said as he stood inches from the 71-year-old man's face, per video footage shared by Buzbee.
As the older man tried to walk away — in full view of employees of the convenience store — the suspect clenched his fist and swung, striking the victim in the side of the head and sending him tumbling onto the floor.
The suspect then approached the counter in an apparent attempt to buy an item. He allegedly looked at the dazed victim and said, "F— wrong with you?"
Buzbee said that his client was treated for neck pain and a concussion.
Police said that as they investigated, they identified Wheeler as their suspect and reached out to him. He apparently turned himself in to authorities later that day and was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail.
His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 24.
"Amazon delivery folks must be carefully screened and trained," Buzbee said while announcing the lawsuit. "Amazon must do better in the hiring process. When Amazon fails, like here, it must be held accountable."
A spokesperson for Amazon told Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC that Wheeler was working for an independent business that contracts with Amazon to deliver items. Amazon reportedly added that it investigated the incident, shared the details with the contracting company, and the suspect is no longer able to deliver Amazon packages.