Walmart violence leads elderly man to death in Norfolk

A 77-year-old customer lost his life after being attacked inside a Walmart in Norfolk, Virginia, in June. The attack was perpetrated by the parents of a teenage employee who had been confronted by the couple over a shopping cart.

What triggered the confrontation

According to accounts by the victim's wife, Josephine Atienza, the 17-year-old employee almost struck his wife with a cart while the couple was shopping after church. The elderly man, Bert Atienza, reprimanded the young woman, saying she did not apologize.

How the attack occurred

After the exchange of words, the employee allegedly threw a can toward the couple. A few minutes later, the teenager called her parents, Travis White (44) and Erika Mitchell (42), who sought out the couple inside the store. Security video shows White and Mitchell approaching Atienza, pushing him, punching him, and then kicking him as he fell onto a shelf.

Reactions from authorities

Police responded to the call around 3:20 p.m. on June 7 and found Atienza unconscious. He was taken to the hospital, where he died the following day. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner classified the cause as head trauma and the manner of death as homicide.

Legal consequences for those involved

White and Mitchell were arrested and, according to court records, were charged with second-degree murder, as well as malicious wounding and assault. Both remain held without bail. The teenage employee was charged with malicious wounding and assault, and conspiracy to commit a felony, and is in custody at the Norfolk juvenile detention center, with her identity withheld due to being a minor.

Company position

A Walmart representative stated that the employee no longer works for the company, which will continue to cooperate with the police and made no further comments on the case.

With information from The Guardian, WTKR, New York Post.