An Atlanta food delivery driver has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting an UberEATS customer.
Media outlets report 36-year-old Robert Bivines was sentenced last week after a jury found him guilty of charges including malice murder.
Bivines turned himself in to authorities in February, days after the shooting. Police said 30-year-old Ryan Thornton had ordered delivery from UberEATS and went outside his Buckhead apartment complex for his food. Investigators say witnesses told them Thornton and the driver exchanged words before the shooting.
Bivines' attorney, Jackie Patterson, said his client had trouble finding Thornton's address to make the delivery. Once he found the address, Thornton came down visibly upset and snatched the food from Bivines' hand, according to Patterson.
There was a verbal altercation after Thornton screamed a profanity toward Bivines, the attorney said.
Patterson said Bivines then saw Thornton turn around and reach into his jacket pocket.
Thornton allegedly told Bivines that he was going to "F***k you up," Patterson said. Fearing for his life, Patterson says Bivines shot Thornton.
Bivines had worked as an UberEATS driver for about a week.
Uber has a "no weapons" policy for its drivers, but Bivines said he carried a gun to protect himself.
