ATLANTA — Prosecutors told a judge an Uber Eats driver accused of murder is prone to gun violence. The suspect is accused of shooting and killing a customer after an argument last month.
The judge ruled Tuesday that Robert Bivines posed a substantial risk and danger to the community after listening to a detective describe how he watched surveillance video that shows Bivines shooting Ryan Thornton after a dispute over a food delivery.
[READ: Police: Uber Eats delivery flees after customer shot, killed in Buckhead]
“He's a danger to the community,” Assistant District Attorney Pat Dutcher said in court Tuesday.
Channel 2's Tom Jones was in the courtroom Tuesday where he said Bivines seemed to feel the weight of the world on his shoulders as prosecutors asked a judge to keep him behind bars.
“If he's willing to shoot someone, an unarmed person, over a simple dispute about how their food was delivered,” Dutcher said.
[READ: Uber Eats driver claims self-defense in shooting that killed customer, attorney says]
Bivines, who was an Uber Eats delivery driver, is accused of killing Thornton Feb.17 on Pharr Court South.
We learned the incident was captured by surveillance video
Detective Andre Lowe said Thornton ordered food from Tin Lizzy's that night. Bivines delivered the food to Thornton's condo.
Lowe said the video shows Thornton grabbed the food, the two exchange words and Thornton walks toward Bivines' car with his hands around his pockets.
[READ: Uber Eats driver accused of killing man was convicted of battery in 2010]
“As he's walking towards the car you see four flashes from inside of the car and Mr. Thornton go to the ground,” Lowe said.
Bivines' attorney, Jackie Patterson, said Thornton threatened his client and he defended himself.
Patterson also pointed out Thornton came toward his client more than once.
“So it's on at least two occasions after Mr. Thornton retrieves his food that Mr. Thornton starts walking back to my client's vehicle,” Patterson said to Lowe.
[READ: Uber Eats driver accused of gunning down customer, breaks down in court]
“That's correct,” Lowe said.
But prosecutors said Thornton did not have a gun and was not near Bivines’ car
“I don't trust this individual being out in society. I think he's a risk to commit additional offenses,” Dutcher said.
Patterson has said Thornton was angry because it took too long for his food to arrive.
The judge found probable cause to move the case forward on charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a felony.
Cox Media Group
