An 18-year-old Domino's Pizza delivery driver was shot multiple times after parking in the wrong driveway while delivering food to a Tennessee home, police said.
Kayden Wheeler told police he was delivering pizza to a home on North Poole Street in Ashland, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Nashville, on Monday.
“The victim stated that he thought he was parked in the correct driveway, but when he went outside to deliver the pizza, he was alerted by his neighbor,” the criminal complaint states.
Wheeler said he walked through the yard, delivered the pizza and returned to his truck.
As Wheeler exited his driveway, he heard gunshots and saw someone “running towards him and firing shots,” according to the complaint.
He said he immediately backed out of the driveway and sped away. Police said his truck had three bullet holes, one on the driver's side by the gas tank, one above the driver's side window, and one in the driver's side front wheel and tire. Ta.
Authorities arrested Ryan Babcock, 32, in connection with the shooting. Wheeler was delivering pizza to Babcock's neighbor, according to the complaint.
Babcock told officers that he and his wife saw the truck parked in the driveway on their doorbell camera.
He said he saw someone running from his car toward his truck and thought the person was trying to break in, the criminal complaint said. Babcock said he got out and “began firing at the truck” to “disable it.” Babcock allegedly admitted to officers that he fired multiple shots at the truck.
Officers found a handgun and seven shell casings throughout the driveway and yard. Babcock was charged with aggravated assault and bail was set at $50,000. He was released on Tuesday.
Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Babcock could not immediately be reached Friday.
The boy told CBS affiliate WTVF in Nashville that he believes Babcock should have been charged with attempted murder.
“I literally almost got killed right there,” he said.
Wheeler said his truck was unmarked, but he was wearing a Domino's uniform and carrying pizza delivery bags.
“I understand that you want to keep your firearm safe and protect your family, but I don't think you should automatically fire just because someone approaches you. That's not right,” he added.