Pizza Delivery Driver Shot At for Refusing to Pay for Order

In a shocking incident, a pizza delivery driver in Houston, Texas was shot at by a customer after refusing to pay for their order. The incident occurred on the evening of April 17, 2024, when the driver arrived at the customer's residence to deliver a pizza.

According to police reports, the customer, identified as 28-year-old John Smith, became agitated when the driver informed him that he needed to pay for the pizza upon delivery. Smith allegedly demanded that the driver give him the pizza for free, claiming that he had already paid for it online.

When the driver insisted that no payment had been received and that Smith needed to pay for the order, Smith reportedly became hostile and verbally abusive. Witnesses state that Smith then went inside his house and returned with a handgun, firing several shots at the delivery driver's vehicle as he fled the scene.

Fortunately, the driver was not injured in the shooting. He immediately contacted the police, who arrived at the scene and arrested Smith without further incident. Smith has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is currently being held in custody.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the risks faced by delivery drivers and the importance of ensuring their safety on the job. It also raises concerns about the potential for violence and aggression from customers, particularly in high-stress situations.

The pizza delivery company has issued a statement expressing their shock and concern over the incident, emphasizing that the safety of their employees is their top priority. "We are deeply troubled by this senseless act of violence against one of our drivers," the statement read. "We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and will do everything in our power to support our employee during this difficult time."

Authorities continue to investigate and request that anyone who knows something about what happened contact them. "This kind of violence is completely unacceptable," said Houston Police Chief Mark Rodriguez. "We will not tolerate any threats or harm to our community's essential workers, who put their lives on the line every day to serve others."

Key Takeaways

• Pizza delivery driver shot at by customer in Houston, Texas over payment dispute.
• Customer, John Smith, became hostile and fired shots at driver's vehicle as he fled.
• Driver unharmed, customer arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
• Incident highlights risks faced by delivery drivers and importance of ensuring their safety.
• Pizza company expresses shock, emphasizes employee safety as top priority, cooperating with police.