This past weekend, the night of February 17th, an Uber Eats transaction went sour, resulting in the driver killing his intended customer. Today, he turned himself into police. The driver, 37-year-old Robert Bivines, rolled into an apartment complex in Atlanta when the customer picked up his food. However, an argument broke out between the two men. That was when Bivines fired on the victim, Ryan Thornton who later succumbed to his injuries at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The major concern – particularly for Uber Eats – is why the Bivines had a gun in the vehicle; breaching company policy. Bivines’ attorney, Jackie Patterson commented, “Well, you got two choices. Would you rather be dead, or would you rather follow Uber’s policy?” Patterson claims Thornton was irritable about his food delivery not being faster and the men exchanged words before Thornton reached into his pocket. That was the moment when Bivines reached for his weapon, not wanting to wait and see what could happen.
Now, Bivines remains silent by the suggestions of his legal representation, who has been handling all the questions posed as they arrived at the Atlanta Police Department this morning. Whether or not the act was self-defense or not. it will be up to the judge when Bivines makes his first court appearance on Tuesday. Until then, the Uber Eats driver will remain in Fulton County Jail.