Florida Wal-Mart worker shoots out co-worker’s car window in jealous fit

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — A Florida Wal-Mart employee faces charges after officials say he shot a co-worker’s car window because she won an employee-of-the-month award.

Sonia Diogene told Broward Sheriff’s deputies that Willie Mitchell became angry after she received the award and started harassing her, saying he had helped her numerous times and that he deserved the recognition.

As the two argued about their workload, Mitchell grew angry. Diogene told her supervisor that she felt threatened by Mitchell after he repeatedly said, “I’m gonna show you,’ according to an arrest report. Witnesses told authorities they tried to calm Mitchell down during the argument.

A Dec. 1 surveillance video showed Mitchell pulling alongside Diogene’s car, shooting out a window and driving away. Diogene was not in the car at the time but told investigators she found the damage when she went out to her car on her lunch break.

“It definitely seems unusual for someone to be upset to the point that they would fire a shot into someone else’s vehicle just because this person received an award,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said. “He felt obviously that it was unjust for her to receive this award.”

Mitchell is charged with discharging a firearm from a vehicle. Jail records did not show whether he had an attorney.

A number listed for Willie Mitchell Jr. was out of service. A message left at a number listed for Willie Mitchell Sr. was not immediately returned Tuesday.

A Wal-Mart spokewoman said Mitchell was fired after the alleged incident.

“This is an unfortunate situation and we’re grateful no one was hurt,” Wal-Mart spokeswoman Dianna Gee said.