A Fort Worth man is currently wanted by police after allegedly firing a gun at a door-to-door salesman on the east side of the city. The incident, which took place last Thursday around 12:30 p.m. on Purington Avenue, involved the homeowner reportedly using a firearm after shouting racial slurs at the salesperson, as per Fort Worth police.
The salesman, a 32-year-old Black man who has been in the field for a decade, was not injured thanks to a work tablet that miraculously stopped the bullet. "I'm just shook up," the salesman, who prefers to remain unidentified, explained in an interview obtained by NBC DFW. He showed the damage to the back of the tablet, where the bullet would've exited had it passed through.
According to the victim, the confrontation began when he knocked on the door to inquire about the resident's electric bill for Reliant Energy, where he is employed. The homeowner emerged, aimed, and fired, telling the salesman to "get away from here n****." The device, which is usually worn by his side, was slung across his stomach on that fateful day, likely saving his life.
Finding the residence empty upon their arrival, Fort Worth police are in the process of apprehending the suspect, who is facing serious charges. "You’re looking at several different charges because you just cannot fire a weapon at a human for absolutely no reason, no threat involved," Officer Buddy Calzada told NBC DFW. The charges might include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possibly a hate crime.
Reflecting on the harrowing experience, the salesman expressed his concern for his family, telling the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "I got two daughters. I could’ve been in the hospital dead now." He hopes this incident will bring serious consequences for the homeowner. Reliant Energy has released a statement affirming the safety and security of their sales agents as a top priority and that they are cooperating with local law enforcement on further steps.
