An UberEATS driver who shot and killed a customer has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for his murder charge plus five years for aggravated assault.
Robert Bivines, 36, was found guilty in the fatal Feb. 17 shooting in Buckhead when he shot 30-year-old Ryan Thornton.
Bivines said it was self defense. It all started when he didn't deliver the food to Thornton's front door.
During his trial, Bivines took the stand to defend his actions.
"I saw Mr. Thornton come back to my vehicle after he received his food, telling me he is going to me f*** me up with his hand in his pocket coming back to me," Bivines testified from the bench.
And that's when Bivines said he shot Thornton several times striking him in the arm and thigh.
After his conviction the judge asked why he kept a loaded gun handy. Bivines said he's carried a gun since his time in the military.
He also said he's been shot at before and the people got away.
The surveillance video from outside of the Buckhead condo shows Thornton getting the bag of food, and walking away from Bivines' car. Then, turning around.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard sent a press release after the conviction saying Thornton and his fiance ordered from Tin Lizzy's as they mourned her father who had been cremated earlier that day.
After being shot, Howard said that Thornton called his fiance to say "Don't panic. I've been shot."
She called 911 and tried to help save him before the ambulance arrived. He was taken to Grady Hospital where he died.
Moments after the shooting, Bivines indicated to UberEATS he had delivered the food. After that, he went to his girlfriend's workplace.
In his testimony, Bivines said he waited for his girlfriend to finish her shift from around 11:30 p.m to about 6 a.m. Then, went home.
The jury deliberated for a couple of hours before returning the guilty verdict.