The streets of Lauderdale Manors became a crime scene on December 7 after an Amazon delivery driver, in the midst of his route, fell victim to a stabbing and robbery—a harsh reminder of the vulnerabilities those in the service industry face daily. Curtis Gardner, 33, was arrested on suspicion of felony attempted murder, armed carjacking, and burglary with battery in connection with the attack, as CBS News Miami reports.
While making deliveries, the driver's day took a turn for the worse as his vehicle suffered a flat tire by a vacant lot in the 1100 block of Northwest 10th Terrace, what happened next was a seemingly random act of violence, as Fort Lauderdale police believe, after the driver was then approached by Gardner who was on a bike, wielding a knife, and consequently stabbing the driver who was attended to by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, being taken to Broward Health Medical Center with serious injuries. Notably, it was illustrated by NBC Miami through surveillance footage showing the injured driver seeking help by knocking on a nearby door, lifting his shirt to assess the wound and darting off to find assistance elsewhere when no one answered.
His search for help ended at a local convenience store, where the employees, understanding the gravity of human life, hurriedly offered their assistance. "For us, life is first, save a life first, no matter what," the store's owner, Asim Roi, emphasized in a statement obtained by NBC Miami, reflecting a sentiment of communal responsibility towards one another.
Amazon, while distant from the immediacy of the scene, proclaimed their support for their driver and cooperation with the police investigation, their spokesperson stated: "drivers are instructed to never make a delivery if they feel unsafe" and reinforced that the company provides drivers with continuous support and training focused on de-escalation and safety, according to the same interview with NBC Miami. The arrested individual, Curtis Gardner, will now face the legal system while the Amazon driver's recovery is underway.
