An Amazon delivery driver is accused of punching a 71-year-old man from behind at a California gas station following an apparent dispute over a parking spot.
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Surveillance footage captured the alleged incident, which occurred on March 30 at an ARCO gas station in Elk Grove.
The video appears to show a man wearing an Amazon jacket confronting the elderly customer and threatening to "beat [his] a—-".
The worker then allegedly sucker-punching him and knocking him to the ground.
Amazon Punch Caught on Gas Station Surveillance Footage
Attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the 71-year-old, shared footage of the shocking confrontation.
Authorities identified the suspect as 30-year-old Terrence Wheeler of Antioch. He now faces charges of felony elder abuse, felony criminal threats and misdemeanor battery.
The elderly man has also filed a civil lawsuit against Wheeler and Amazon.
Buzbee accused Wheeler of behaving "hyper-aggressively" before the alleged attack and said his client subsequently required medical treatment for neck pain and a concussion.
"We believe the Amazon driver has a history of violence," he said.
"Amazon delivery folks must be carefully screened and trained. Amazon must do better in the hiring process. When Amazon fails, like here, it must be held accountable."
Amazon Responds as Driver Faces Criminal Charges
Buzbee said his firm filed the civil case against Amazon in the Superior Court of California, Sacramento County.
An Amazon spokesperson responded to the incident by stressing that Wheeler was not directly employed by the company.
Instead, Wheeler worked for an independent contractor responsible for delivering Amazon packages.
Amazon investigated the incident and shared its findings with the third-party delivery company. The company has also banned Wheeler from delivering Amazon packages.
Following the alleged assault, police identified Wheeler and contacted him. He later turned himself in to authorities that same day.
Authorities booked Wheeler into the Sacramento County Main Jail before prosecutors filed charges against him.
He is scheduled to appear in court on September 24.
Buzbee said the lawsuit against Amazon seeks $10 million in damages.
The high-profile attorney previously ran for mayor of Houston, Texas, in 2019, losing the election to incumbent Sylvester Turner.
