An Amazon delivery driver in Washington state is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he shot a USPS letter carrier in the face during a confrontation inside a cramped apartment mailroom.
Blake Kuhlman, 27, allegedly opened fire with a .22 Magnum revolver after a dispute with the postal worker at the West Mall Place Apartments in Everett, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
The letter carrier, who survived but lost an eye, later told investigators that Kuhlman “smirked” before pulling out the gun and shooting him.
“He f—ing shot me in the face,” the USPS worker told investigators, according to the complaint. “After he did that, he stood over the top of me for, like, five seconds and just stared at me.”
Kuhlman was first arrested and charged locally after the October 2025 shooting, but that case was later dismissed and refiled in federal court last week. He is now facing charges of attempted murder of a federal employee, assault of a federal employee and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Prosecutors say the confrontation happened in a small mailroom where the USPS worker was delivering mail. According to the complaint, when both sides of the mailboxes are open, there is only a narrow passage through the hallway.
Because of the tight space, the apartment complex had reportedly allowed the postal worker to put up a sign telling people to go around to another door while mail was being delivered.
The postal worker told investigators he had worked that same route for six years and had dealt with Amazon drivers many times before without a problem. He said drivers usually asked how much longer he needed, then either waited or used another entrance.
But on the day of the shooting, he said Kuhlman ignored the warning.
“I got, got to the apartment to do my normal delivery like I always do,” the worker told police from the hospital. “I had both sides of CBs open, which I had been doing for over six years now.”
He said he heard an Amazon driver arrive and told him he could not pass through the area while mail was being delivered.
“He propped the door open, and I had said to him that I thought it was loud enough for him to hear, I said, you are not allowed to pass through here while I’m delivering,” the worker recalled. “And he smirked, grabbed the rest of his packages, and he just walked right through me.”
The postal worker said Kuhlman pushed him back about four feet, prompting him to push back in self-defense.
“Naturally, I defended myself,” he told investigators. “I said, what are you doing, man. I pushed him back. I said, get your hands off of me.”
Moments later, prosecutors allege, Kuhlman shot him in the face.
The worker told investigators he had never seen Kuhlman before and was not aware of any prior encounter that would have explained the Amazon driver’s alleged “aggressive behavior.”
After the shooting, Kuhlman stayed at the scene and was arrested by Everett police. Officers searched him and seized his cellphone, wallet, keys, sunglasses, earbuds and a .22 Magnum revolver loaded with “snake shot,” according to the complaint.
Snake shot is a specialized type of ammunition that contains small lead pellets inside a plastic capsule that breaks apart when fired.
Federal prosecutors said Kuhlman was also wearing “body armor” underneath his Amazon uniform shirt. In addition to the revolver, authorities said he had a 9 mm Glock 19 pistol, three 27-round magazines and a fixed-blade knife about 5 inches long.
Kuhlman allegedly admitted to shooting the postal worker in the face, but claimed he felt threatened and acted in self-defense. He reportedly told investigators that the mail carrier pushed him first.
When asked about his experience with firearms, Kuhlman said he had once wanted to become a bail enforcement officer and had attended firearms courses at the Washington State Criminal Justice Center, according to the complaint. He also said he grew up around guns and was very familiar with how they worked.
Kuhlman allegedly told investigators he liked carrying the .22 Magnum because it was small and could be used quickly in self-defense. He also said he chose snake shot rounds because he did not have to be very accurate and believed they would “stop an aggressor from attacking,” according to prosecutors.
The complaint also alleges that Kuhlman made disturbing statements about the postal worker, referring to the “mail guy” as part of a “mafia” and suggesting he may have been on some kind of drug that stopped him from feeling pain.
Prosecutors said Kuhlman also discussed his belief that the FBI was targeting him. He allegedly told investigators he had filed multiple complaints with the FBI, only for the agency to instruct him to stop submitting them.
Kuhlman is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary examination on July 21.
Amazon driver looks like an Amerikan wacko