EVERETT — Police said a man dressed as a driver who delivered packages for Amazon allegedly shot a United States Postal Service worker who was delivering mail Friday at a south Everett apartment complex.
Around 12:50 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a 911 call, which stated an “Amazon driver” shot a postal worker at 9300 West Mall Drive in Everett. Upon arrival, officers arrested the 26-year-old suspect, according to court documents.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson said Amazon does not hire drivers directly to deliver packages, but instead uses a third-party company.
During the arrest, officers discovered the suspect wore a bulletproof plate-carrier vest with a large knife mounted to it and a pistol magazine holster under the Amazon delivery clothing. Officers also found two firearms on his person, court documents said.
At the scene, officers found fresh bloodstains in the mail room of the apartment complex.
During a police interview, the suspect admitted to shooting the postal worker in self-defense because the victim attempted to charge at him while the suspect was cornered, court documents said. Later in the interview, the suspect said he was being cyberstalked by the mafia and suspected the postal worker might have been a mafia assassin, according to court documents.
He said he had reported over 100 tips to the FBI about concerns of being stalked and having his phone hacked, and that random people at public stores would tell him to stop submitting tips. He told police he wore the plate carrier because he had been shot by rifles and crossbows while delivering packages previously, court documents said, but didn’t go to the police because there was no evidence.
A witness said in a statement that an argument broke out between the suspect and the victim. The victim shoved the suspect and shouted, “What the (expletive) are you shoving me?” The suspect then pulled out a firearm and shot the victim in the head, the statement said.
First responders transported the postal worker to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, an Everett Police Department social media post said. In court documents, police said the victim is expected to live but is likely to lose an eye.
Officers booked the suspect into Snohomish County Jail on suspicion of assault in the first degree.
Clarification: A previous version of the story has been adjusted to clarify that Amazon does not hire delivery drivers directly, but instead uses a third-party company.
Jenna Millikan: 425-339-3035; jenna.millikan@heraldnet.com; X: @JennaMillikan
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