Parents Charged with Murder After Walmart Customer Dies Following Shopping Cart Dispute

Two parents have been charged with murder after a dispute over a shopping cart at a Walmart store led to the death of a 77-year-old customer. Bert Atienza died on June 8 from blunt head trauma, sustained a day earlier in an altercation with the parents of a teen Walmart employee.

The incident began when the teen employee, driving a shopping cart, nearly struck Atienza's wife, Josephine, while maneuvering down an aisle. According to Josephine Atienza, her husband confronted the employee, pointing out the near-collision and the lack of an apology. The argument between Atienza and the employee reportedly lasted a few moments before the employee threw a can toward the couple as they walked away.

Josephine Atienza stated that her husband, known for being direct, confronted the employee. The teen employee then allegedly called her parents, Travis White, 44, and Erika Mitchell, 42, for assistance. Minutes later, White and Mitchell entered the store and confronted Bert Atienza in an aisle.

Surveillance footage obtained by WTKR shows White and Mitchell allegedly attacking Atienza. He was reportedly shoved from behind, grabbed, and punched. Atienza was then pushed into a shelving unit and fell to the ground, after which one of the suspects is seen kicking him. Josephine Atienza recounted the attack, stating that while her husband was on the floor, they continued to kick him, and she pleaded with them to stop, mentioning her husband's heart condition.

Bert Atienza was able to speak briefly to his wife afterward but lost consciousness before emergency services arrived. He was transported to a hospital where he died the following day. Medical officials ruled his death a homicide.

White and Mitchell were initially arrested and charged with malicious wounding by mob, aggravated malicious wounding, and conspiracy to commit a felony. Court records later showed these charges were elevated to second-degree murder. Both are being held without bond at the Norfolk jail.

Their defense attorney argued that the parents were acting to protect their daughter, who was distraught after the confrontation with Atienza. The attorney claimed the situation was spontaneous and that the evidence at best points to simple assault, not an act leading to death. The teen employee, who no longer works for Walmart, has been charged with assault and battery, aggravated malicious wounding, and conspiracy to commit a felony. Her name is being withheld due to her age, and she is being held at the Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center.