Elderly man allegedly beaten to death at Virginia Walmart after confronting employee who almost hit his wife with a shopping cart

A 77-year-old Filipino-American man has reportedly died in the hospital after a confrontation outside a Walmart in Norfolk, Virginia, saw him allegedly beaten by a 17-year-old store employee and their parents after he accused the employee of nearly hitting his wife with a shopping cart.

Bert D. Atienza and his wife, Josephine Atienza, had stopped at the Walmart on their way back from church. Josephine, who witnessed the whole attack, spoke to WTKR News 3 about the incident that took the life of her husband of 42 years.

The incident took place on June 7 after the elderly couple drove from church to the Walmart to buy groceries. Josephine claimed Bert had confronted a 17-year-old employee whom he accused of nearly hitting her with a shopping cart. “He said, ‘You almost hit my wife with your heavy cart, and you did not even say excuse me or apologize to her,’” Josephine said.

The confrontation allegedly led to the Walmart employee hurling abuse at Bert, as Josephine recalled heated words being exchanged and the teen even throwing a can at the pair as they walked away. The can missed, and the couple continued shopping.

The Walmart employee returned with their parents

Shortly after the verbal exchange, Josephine claimed that the Walmart employee returned with their parents in tow. They crowded around the 77-year-old man before they began attacking him. “They crowded my husband; one of the adults hit him in the face. He fell down on the floor. I was terrified. I don’t know what’s going on,” Josephine said.

Bert’s wife said the attackers continued to kick him while he was on the ground, ignoring her pleas for them to stop. After the attackers left, Bert was still conscious and apparently tried to get back up. Josephine claimed he had blood coming out of his mouth, and she told him to wait for the ambulance.

Bert was taken to hospital but passed away the following day. Sadly, this isn’t the first time a Walmart confrontation has ended in death. Two adults, Erika Mitchell, 42, and Travis White, 44, have since been charged with second-degree murder over the death of the elderly man. Both are reportedly being held without bond. An unnamed 17-year-old girl was also charged with assault and battery, aggravated malicious wounding, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Josephine said that she and her husband had plans for the future. “We had many plans in our senior years. We were planning to go home to the Philippines to retire and to be with his family, but now shattered,” she told WTKR. 

As for the employee, a Walmart representative claimed that they were no longer employed by the company and that the company was working with law enforcement on the matter.