Norfolk Walmart shopper dies after assault by employee's parents

A 77-year-old man, Bert D. Atienza, died following an assault inside a Walmart on North Military Highway in Norfolk, Virginia. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt head trauma.

The incident reportedly began after Atienza confronted a 17-year-old Walmart employee regarding a shopping cart incident involving his wife. According to his wife, Josephine Atienza, the employee’s parents, identified as Erika Mitchell, 42, and Travis White, 44, arrived at the store and confronted Atienza. Surveillance footage shows Atienza being assaulted and kicked while on the floor.

Norfolk police have charged Mitchell, White, and the 17-year-old employee in connection with the attack. Mitchell and White are currently being held without bond. While prosecutors are pursuing serious charges, defense counsel James Broccoletti has argued that the confrontation was spontaneous and lacked premeditation, characterizing the incident as a simple assault rather than murder.