A mail carrier for the United States Postal Service was assaulted in what appears to be an unprovoked attack by a suspect with a lengthy criminal history in Gardena, California.
According to ABC7, Bruce Jennings, a U.S. Postal Service worker with over 20 years of experience, was assaulted on February 21 by a man with a long history of criminal activity, including assaulting an individual with a deadly weapon and burglary.
Jennings told ABC7 that the suspect was angry that the mail carrier did not have a package to deliver for him at the location of a vacant home where the man was allegedly squatting. Surveillance video in Gardena, California, shows the suspect taunting Jennings and gesturing like he was going to punch the U.S. Postal Service worker.
The video shows Jennings attempting to walk away before the suspect punched him in the back of his head. “I’m dropping the mail, and at that point it was defense mode for me,” Jennings told ABC7. The video then shows the two men circle each other before the suspect throws multiple punches at Jennings, causing the mailman to fall to the ground.
“Prior to that, as I was approaching him, he is telling me he could do me foul. I don’t know what that means,” Jennings told ABC7.
Jennings told ABC7 that he had seen the man in the area before. Other residents in the area also told ABC7 that they were familiar with the suspect. “The entire community knows about this guy, knows him by his first and last name: John Ross.” Garrett Rodriguez, a local resident, said.
According to ABC7, the suspect is currently in police custody after being arrested last week for breaking into a home. Community members told ABC7 they hope the suspect remains in custody, especially in light of the recent attack against Jennings.
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Highlighting the community’s support of Jennings, local resident Derek Martin said, “He’s the first one that greets you when you move here. We all came together because Bruce is someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty with his job. He’s just a guy you hate to see this happen to.”
ABC7 reported that Jennings has been appreciative of the community’s support in the aftermath of the February attack. While Jennings has indicated that he is alright physically and mentally, the mail carrier is eagerly awaiting an answer from the Postal Inspection Service and is hoping for the suspect to be brought to justice.
