A routine trip to Walmart took a frightening turn for a young mother in Washington state after a parking lot disagreement allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation while she was putting her infant into a car seat.

The incident happened around 10:13 a.m. on November 10 at a Walmart store in Hazel Dell, near Vancouver, Washington, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said the mother was loading her baby into her vehicle when another driver attempted to park in the space next to her. Concerned that the approaching vehicle might strike her open car door, she reportedly tapped on the vehicle to get the driver’s attention.

The situation allegedly escalated when the driver, identified as 77-year-old Timothy Coe, got out of his vehicle and began arguing with her.

According to the woman’s account to deputies, Coe punched her on the right side of her face with his left fist and grabbed her arms during the confrontation. Authorities said deputies later observed redness on her face, swelling around one eyelid, and bruising on her arms.

A witness reportedly stepped in and helped separate the two, preventing the confrontation from continuing.

The mother also provided investigators with video footage and photographs showing the suspect and his vehicle, including its license plate. In a statement shared with local media, she said she had started recording the encounter when the situation became increasingly tense. She alleged that the man struck her phone, stopping the recording, before punching her.

Following an investigation, deputies located Coe at his home in Vancouver the next morning, November 11. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Clark County Jail on one count of fourth-degree assault.

Coe later posted bail and was expected to appear in court on November 20, according to local reports.

Walmart also addressed the incident, stating that the safety of its customers and employees remains a top priority and that the company would cooperate with local law enforcement.

What began as an ordinary moment in a busy store parking lot has now become a police investigation. The case serves as a reminder of how quickly everyday disagreements can escalate, particularly in situations where families with young children are involved.

The allegations remain subject to the legal process, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.