Police say an argument at American Way Middle School escalated into a fight that left the driver with six puncture wounds.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis middle school employee has been charged with aggravated assault after police say he stabbed a delivery driver several times with a pen during an argument over a late delivery at American Way Middle School.
Braxton Stewart, 36, was arrested after the Aug. 20 confrontation, which happened shortly before 9:30 a.m., according to police and court records cited by local and national news organizations. The delivery driver was taken to a hospital with six puncture wounds and was reported in non-critical condition. Stewart has since been released on bond, and online court records show another court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 28.
According to a Memphis Police Department affidavit obtained by USA TODAY, officers were called to American Way Middle School at about 9:26 a.m. for a reported wounding. The driver told investigators he was making a delivery to the school and had arrived late. He said the delay led to an argument with Stewart, who was identified as an employee of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
The driver told police that Stewart pushed him in the chest during the dispute and that the confrontation then became physical. Investigators allege Stewart used a pen to stab the driver at least six times during the fight. Police reported that the driver had four puncture wounds to his back and additional wounds to his neck and face. Emergency personnel transported him to a local hospital.
Officers took Stewart into custody after the confrontation. According to the affidavit cited by USA TODAY, Stewart was transported to a police station and invoked his constitutional rights when questioned. He was charged with aggravated assault, a felony. The charge is an accusation, and the case has not been resolved in court.
Jail records cited by Law&Crime showed Stewart was booked into the Shelby County Jail on a $25,000 bond and released the following day. More recent court-record reporting by USA TODAY said Stewart is represented by a public defender. The publication said the attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
The incident took place at American Way Middle School, part of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Action News 5 reported that it contacted the school district for comment after the arrest but had not received a response at the time of its report. USA TODAY also sought information from the district Wednesday about Stewart’s employment status and said it had not received an immediate response.
The available police account is based in part on what the delivery driver told investigators. Authorities have not publicly released surveillance footage or a more detailed account from Stewart describing the confrontation. The reports reviewed also did not identify the delivery driver publicly.
Stewart remained charged with aggravated assault as of Wednesday. His next reported court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 28, while no newer public update reviewed Wednesday changed the driver’s previously reported non-critical condition.
Author note: Last updated August 26, 2026.