Fort Myers man threatens Walmart worker with hatchet in parking lot confrontation

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A Fort Myers man is accused of threatening a Walmart worker with a hatchet.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, officers were called to the Walmart on Colonial Boulevard on Feb. 8 in response to reports of an assault.

The FMPD said a Walmart worker was arriving in the parking lot for his shift when he saw a car pull up and drop a woman off at the front of the store. The worker recognized the woman and honked his horn at her and the other vehicle.

The driver of the other vehicle, identified as Felipe Blanco-Castro, 38, exited the car and confronted the worker, who stepped out of his own car, the FMPD said.

The two got into a verbal altercation, and as it escalated, Blanco-Castro returned to his vehicle and grabbed a hatchet, brandishing it at the victim, the FMPD said.

A security guard arrived at the scene and broke up the situation, and both men returned to their own vehicles, the FMPD said.

The worker parked his car in a nearby parking spot and saw that Blanco-Castro had followed him and parked in the same row. Blanco-Castro once again approached the worker, brandishing the hatchet, the FMPD said.

The security guard once again intervened, but Blanco-Castro proceeded to punch the victim in the chest before they were separated, the FMPD said.

Blanco-Castro got in his car and left the scene before police arrived, according to the FMPD.

During an investigation, officers located Blanco-Castro at his residence. The victim was able to confirm that Blanco-Castro was the man who assaulted him.

Blanco-Castro was arrested and faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and battery.

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