Despite Racial Slur, Manslaughter Charge Upheld By State Attorney

TAMPA, FL — The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office is upholding the manslaughter charge against a 27-year-old Dunkin' manager after police said he fatally punched a 77-year-old man who used a racial slur.

According to Tampa police, at 1:29 p.m. May 4, the 77-year-old man went through the drive-thru at the Dunkin' at 410 S. 50th St. and became upset about the service he received.

He began berating employees at the drive-up window. The employees refused to serve him and asked him several times to leave.

Instead, the 77-year-old man parked his vehicle and entered the Dunkin'. As he entered the store, Corey Ellis Pujols, who was the manager on duty, told employees to call the police.

Once inside, the 77-year-old man approached the counter and began to argue with Pujols. Pujols remained on the opposite side of the counter, separated by a waist-high swinging door, approximately 6 feet away from the man.

During the argument, the man called Pujols a name using a racial slur, authorities said. The state attorney's office said Pujols slowly walked forward through the swinging door and came face to face with the man. With his hands at his side, he warned the man not to say that again. The man repeated the racial slur, and Pujols punched him in the jaw. The man fell to the floor and hit his head.

Pujols then slowly walked away from him, according to the state's attorney.

Tampa Fire Rescue paramedics were called and took the man to the hospital, where he died May 7.

Although the racial slurs were inflammatory, State Attorney Andrew Warren said the charge of manslaughter is appropriate because Pujols intentionally punched the man without legal justification and the man died as a result.

"Inflammatory speech alone does not justify violence," said Warren in a statement. "Although the victim’s speech was reprehensible, it was legal. While we find the victim’s words repulsive, public safety requires holding Pujols accountable for his actions."

Warren's decision comes a year after a series of racial protests, several of which turned violent, in Tampa Bay following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.

Warren pledged to continue its pledge to combat bigotry and prejudice.

"Racism and the use of racial slurs have no place in our community," he said.

See related story: Punch Over Racial Slur Kills Elderly Man At Tampa Dunkin': Police