North Carolina Amazon Driver and Her Son Shot After Turning Into Wrong Driveway, Raising Fears of Racially Violence
NORTH CAROLINA — An Amazon delivery driver and her teenage son are recovering after being shot at while delivering packages in rural North Carolina, an incident that has sparked serious concerns about public safety, gun violence, and whether racial bias played a role in the attack.
The shooting happened last month in Ellerbe, North Carolina, when Amazon driver Tashika Trimble and her son Jonathan Leak were making deliveries and briefly pulled into the wrong driveway while trying to confirm an address.
What Happened During the Delivery Route
According to Trimble, she and her son pulled into a driveway after a resident did not respond when Leak rolled down the window to ask if they were at the correct location. Trimble said she considered stepping out of the vehicle to show the package, but her son urged her not to.
Shortly after they located the correct home farther down the road and began pulling away, gunfire erupted. Trimble said they first heard a loud gunshot, followed by multiple rapid impacts striking their vehicle. Both ducked for cover as bullets hit the rear of their Dodge Challenger.
“All I could think about was protecting my child,” Trimble said during a television interview.
Damage to the Vehicle and Immediate Aftermath
After reaching safety, the pair discovered that the back of their car was riddled with bullet holes, confirming that the shots were fired directly at their occupied vehicle. No serious physical injuries were reported, but the emotional trauma from the incident remains severe, particularly for Trimble’s son, who was inside the car during the shooting.
Arrest Made but Charges Questioned by Victim
Authorities later arrested Sidney Pittman, who was charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, a serious felony offense under North Carolina law. However, Trimble believes the charge does not fully reflect what she and her son endured.
She has publicly questioned why additional charges were not filed, stating that both she and her child were directly targeted while inside the vehicle. Pittman was later released on bond, a development that Trimble says has left her feeling unsafe in her own community.
Concerns Over Possible Racial Motivation
Trimble has openly stated that she believes the shooting may have been racially motivated, noting the circumstances and the lack of warning before shots were fired.
The Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, led by Jamie Adams, confirmed that the case remains under review and that additional charges could still be filed depending on further findings. Officials have not publicly stated whether hate-crime enhancements are being considered at this time.
Broader Safety Concerns for Delivery Drivers
The incident has renewed concerns nationwide about the risks faced by delivery drivers, especially in rural areas where misunderstandings can escalate quickly.
Drivers for companies like Amazon often rely on GPS navigation, which can occasionally lead them into private driveways while confirming addresses — a routine part of the job that, in this case, turned dangerous. Trimble says no one should fear for their life while simply trying to do their job.
What Comes Next
As the investigation continues, Trimble and her family are calling for accountability, stronger legal action, and greater awareness of the dangers delivery workers face.
They hope the case will prompt meaningful discussions about gun safety, racial bias, and protections for workers who regularly enter unfamiliar neighborhoods. What do you think — should stronger charges be filed in cases like this, and are delivery drivers adequately protected? Share your thoughts and follow ongoing coverage at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
