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RUSSELLVILLE, Ala. (BFMG) — A DoorDash customer stabbed a delivery driver and a police officer Friday night after the driver says he was blamed for food missing from the order, according to Russellville police.
Police said Erik Martinez, 28, injured the DoorDash driver and the responding officer at Mills Mobile Home Park before the officer shot and killed him.
The driver, 20-year-old Yobani Miguel, told WAFF he works DoorDash two days a week in Russellville to support his wife and two young children. Miguel said he delivered Martinez’s order to the mobile home park when Martinez claimed some of the food was missing.
Miguel said Martinez accused him of stealing the food and refused to let him leave.
“He’s like, ‘No, where’s my food? You stole my food,’” Miguel said. “I was like, ‘Sir, I did not steal your food. As God as my witness, I did not steal your food.’”
Miguel said he texted his wife and asked her to call Russellville police after Martinez would not let him leave.
When an officer arrived, Miguel said he saw Martinez pull two knives from his pocket. Martinez then attacked Miguel, cutting his fingers and arms and slicing his leg as Miguel tried to get out of his car.
“He sliced my finger open right here,” Miguel said, pointing to his index finger, which was covered with stitches. “It looked like a hotdog.”
Miguel said that after he escaped, he saw Martinez charge at the officer and then heard three gunshots.
“He was either going after me or the cop, and the cop had to shoot. He had no other choice,” Miguel said. “It was just that quick thinking, you know? Is there going to be two dead people, or just one? He had to think about it, but he did an amazing job. I really do think he did. He saved my life, he really did.”
Miguel’s wife, Damaris Bonilla, said when she went to the mobile home park to make sure her husband was all right, she heard a gunshot. She said she did not realize a police officer was already there and feared the worst.
“I really did think he died, but thank the lord he’s here with us because … I’m going to start crying,” Bonilla said. “We would’ve missed him. It would’ve been really tough.”
Both Miguel and the officer were treated and released from a hospital, according to authorities. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is continuing its investigation into the shooting.
Miguel said he is not sure how long he will be unable to work. His boss started a GoFundMe campaign to help support Miguel’s family, and Miguel said more than $5,000 has already been raised.
