An Amazon warehouse employee in Iowa is facing an attempted murder charge after police say he threatened coworkers, was escorted out of the building and then deliberately drove his car into a man standing outside.
Jadyn Welborn, 20, of Moline, Illinois, was arrested Thursday, November 12, following a frightening confrontation at an Amazon fulfillment center in Davenport, Iowa, that allegedly escalated from workplace threats to a violent attack in the parking lot.
According to investigators, the trouble began shortly before 11 a.m. when Welborn reportedly became disruptive inside the warehouse on Research Parkway.
Police say he began threatening other employees, prompting management to intervene and escort him out of the building.
But instead of leaving peacefully, Welborn allegedly became increasingly aggressive.
Witnesses told investigators that he shouted at nearly everyone he encountered, including a visibly pregnant woman whom he allegedly threatened to physically attack.
Authorities said some of his shouting was unintelligible, raising additional concerns about his behavior.
At one point, Welborn reportedly entered several occupied vehicles before being confronted by another man.
Investigators say the situation then took a terrifying turn.
After getting into his own vehicle, Welborn allegedly drove away briefly before turning around and heading straight toward a landscaped median where the man was standing.
Police say he intentionally accelerated toward the victim, striking him with enough force to send him flying onto and over the vehicle.
The car then crashed into another vehicle in the parking lot.
Investigators said surveillance footage from the Amazon facility captured the incident, providing crucial evidence of what happened.
According to police, the video showed no indication that Welborn attempted to brake or slow down before striking the man.
Despite being thrown into the air, the victim survived the collision.
Emergency responders arrived to evaluate him, and although he complained of pain in his back and legs, he declined medical treatment at the scene.
Authorities have not publicly identified the victim or explained whether he was an Amazon employee.
Welborn was arrested later that afternoon and booked into the Scott County Jail.
He faces several serious charges, including attempted murder, willful injury, assault while displaying a weapon, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was also cited for reckless driving and operating a vehicle without insurance.
His bond was set at $48,600.
The unusual circumstances surrounding the alleged attack have also prompted law enforcement officials to request a mental health evaluation.
Investigators have not disclosed what initially caused the confrontation inside the warehouse or whether Welborn had a previous dispute with the man he allegedly struck.
The incident has raised serious questions about how a workplace disturbance escalated into an alleged attempt to kill someone outside a busy distribution center.
For employees who witnessed the confrontation, what began as a tense situation inside the building quickly became a dangerous emergency in the parking lot.
Welborn is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on November 20.
