A 77-year-old man died from injuries sustained during an alleged assault inside a Walmart in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 7. Authorities have charged two adults and one minor in connection with the incident, which reportedly stemmed from an earlier dispute involving a shopping cart.
The Norfolk Police Department responded to a report of an assault at the store at approximately 3:20 p.m. on June 7. Upon arrival, officers found Bert Atienza unresponsive. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died the following day, according to a report from local news station WTKR. The medical examiner’s office later ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.
According to statements provided to WTKR by Atienza’s wife, Josephine, the incident began when a 17-year-old Walmart employee nearly struck her with a shopping cart in one of the store’s aisles. An exchange of words occurred between Atienza and the employee. Josephine Atienza told the station that the employee then contacted her parents.
Store surveillance footage reportedly shows two individuals, later identified as Travis White, 44, and Erika Mitchell, 42, approaching Atienza inside the store. According to media reports describing the video, Atienza was allegedly shoved, punched, and pushed into a shelving unit, causing him to fall. One of the individuals then allegedly kicked him on the floor.
Following an investigation, authorities arrested White and Mitchell. They face charges of aggravated malicious wounding and are being held without bond at the Norfolk city jail.
Their 17-year-old daughter, whose name has not been released because she is a minor, was also charged. According to WAVY-TV, her charges include assault and battery, aggravated malicious wounding, and conspiracy to commit a felony. She is being held at the Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center.
