Punch Over Racial Slur Kills Elderly Man At Tampa Dunkin': Police

Tampa FL

11 May, 2021

2:26 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — A 27-year-old Tampa employee of Dunkin' has been accused of punching and killing an elderly man who called him a racial slur. According to the Tampa Police, at 1:29 p.m. May 5, a 77-year-old man went through the drive-thru at the Dunkin' at 410 S. 50th St., Tampa, and became upset about the service he received, arguing with employees at the drive-up window. The employees refused to serve him and asked him to leave. Instead, the 77-year-old man parked his vehicle and entered the Dunkin.' He became combative with employee Corey Ellis Pujols, referring to him using a racial slur. Pujols challenged him to repeat the slur. When the elderly man complied, police said Pujols punched him in the jaw, knocking the man down and causing him to strike his head on the floor. Tampa Fire Rescue paramedics were called and took the man to the hospital where he died on May 7. Pujols, who lives in the 3300 block of West Hillsborough Avenue, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery and released May 5. He was arrested again Tuesday and charged with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly adult. Pujols is currently being held without bail in the Hillsborough County Jail. There are no previous arrest records for Pujols in Hillsborough County.