Florida delivery driver, 22-year-old Brianna Alvelo, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including attempted murder, after allegedly stabbing a customer 14 times over a $2 tip.
The incident occurred in Kissimmee, just south of Orlando, when Alvelo delivered a pizza order to 42-year-old customer Melinda Irizarry at a motel where Irizarry was staying with her boyfriend and 5-year-old daughter.
After delivering a pizza costing $33.10 from Marco's Pizza, Irizarry attempted to pay with a $50 bill. Alvelo told her she did not have change for the $50, leading Irizarry to give her a $2 tip from her pocket, which Alvelo reportedly considered insufficient.
Approximately 90 minutes later, Alvelo returned to the motel accompanied by an unidentified male accomplice armed with a pistol. The pair, both wearing masks, forced their way into Irizarry's room. The male accomplice ordered Irizarry's boyfriend into the bathroom at gunpoint while Alvelo, armed with a pocketknife, confronted Irizarry.
According to the affidavit, Irizarry attempted to protect her daughter by throwing her onto the bed and reaching for her phone. Alvelo allegedly grabbed the phone, smashed it, and began stabbing Irizarry multiple times. Irizarry stated that she turned to shield her child and felt a strike to her lower back.
Irizarry suffered 14 stab wounds to her chest, arms, legs, and abdomen. She was rushed to a local hospital where she underwent emergency surgery for a punctured lung and other injuries. While recovering, Irizarry learned that she was several weeks pregnant, adding to the gravity of the situation.
During the attack, the male accomplice, armed with a silver revolver, ordered Irizarry's boyfriend into the bathroom and smashed his phone. The affidavit stated that Alvelo rummaged through Irizarry's belongings during the assault.
Security camera footage showed Alvelo's red Toyota arriving at the motel around 10 p.m. for the delivery. Approximately 90 minutes later, the same car returned with two masked individuals heading to Irizarry's room. After the attack, Alvelo and her accomplice fled the scene in the same red Toyota.
Alvelo was arrested and charged with attempted murder, home invasion with a firearm, kidnapping, aggravated assault, robbery, and burglary, as confirmed by local authorities. She is currently being held without bail at the Osceola County Jail, awaiting trial. Prosecutors have argued that the charges against Alvelo are punishable by life imprisonment and have requested that she be held without bond.
Before her preliminary hearing, Alvelo indicated in court documents that she could not afford legal representation and requested a public defender.
The male accomplice remains at large, and authorities are actively seeking public assistance to apprehend him.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred. The local owner and his team are fully cooperating with local authorities, who have launched an investigation into the matter. The safety and well-being of customers and team members are always our top priority, and we are taking this incident very seriously," said a spokesperson for Marco's Pizza.
"This was an isolated incident at this address, and the matter remains under investigation," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
NBC News, CBS News, Fox News, USA Today, Republic World, International Business Times, and The Sun reported on the incident, among other websites.
Sources: NBC News, CBS News, Fox News, AOL.com, USA Today, Republic World, International Business Times, standard.co.uk/news, The Scottish Sun
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.