UberEATS driver accused in deadly shooting denied bond
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A Fulton County judge denied bond Tuesday morning for an UberEATS deliver driver accused of killing a customer.
An attorney for Roberts Bivines argued in court Tuesday that his client was engaged in an argument and the customer approached his car two times with a hand in his pocket. Attorney Jackie Patterson claimed his client did not know whether the customer may have had a weapon in his clothing.
Bivines has been charged with the felony murder of 30-year-old Atlanta resident Ryan Thornton.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, Thornton ordered delivery from UberEATS last month and went outside The Concorde to pick up his food at around 11:30 p.m.
Bivines’ attorney claims the customer was the aggressor. Patterson said Thornton became upset because the delivery was late. The pair argued and Thornton snatched the food, according to the attorney. Patterson said the customer made a verbal threat, then made a motion reaching into his clothing. Bivines then drew his weapon, said Patterson.
Witnesses told investigators that he and the driver exchanged words and someone inside the car opened fire striking Thornton multiple times. The white Volkswagen then left the scene.
Paramedics transported Thornton to Grady Memorial Hospital where he later died. He was a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School and Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Bivines is being held at the Fulton County Jail.