Dunkin' Manager Who Allegedly Killed Angry Customer Released on $15K Bond

A Dunkin' manager has been released from jail on a $15,000 bond after an elderly customer died after being struck by a single punch.

Corey Pujols, 27, is said to have punched the 77-year-old customer after the man reportedly called him a racial slur in a Marathon Gas station in Tampa, Florida, on May 4, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Officers were alerted at about 1:30 p.m. and they found the victim was unconscious and bleeding from his head.

Paramedics then took him to Tampa General hospital where he was put in intensive care. He died two days later.

According to the outlet, Pujols, who is Black, told police the customer was "extremely rude" and had called him a racial slur.

Pujols reportedly said he asked the man to repeat the slur and then punched the customer, which caused him to fall backward and hit his head on the concrete floor.

An autopsy showed the victim had a skull fracture and brain contusions as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

Court records obtained by Fox4 News said the customer had been upset about the service at the Dunkin' drive-thru and went into the fast food restaurant to complain.

Pujols was initially arrested on a charge of battery on a person older than 65, although a fresh warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a person older than 65.

It is a first-degree felony that can carry a maximum of 30 years in prison.

On Thursday, Pujols asked to be released from jail and the defense reached an agreement with prosecutors to release him on a $15,000 bond, according to Fox4 News.

Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Catherine Catlin did not initially agree to let Pujols out on bond but ultimately approved his release.

According to the outlet, she said: "Far be it for me to interfere with Mr. Pujols. It's very fortunate for you because I believe your bond should be enhanced based on the facts of the [criminal report affidavit]."

Pujols replied: "Yes judge, completely understood. Thank you, judge."

In a statement sent to Newsweek, a Dunkin' spokesperson said following the incident: "We are deeply saddened by the incident at our franchised restaurant in Tampa, FL.

"The franchisee, who independently owns and operates this restaurant, is fully cooperating with the local authorities. As this is an ongoing investigation, we defer any additional questions to the police."

Newsweek has contacted the Tampa Police Department for comment.

Update 05/16/21, 11:00 a.m ET: This article was updated to include a police mugshot photo and comment from a Dunkin' spokesperson.