Current:Home > InvestAngie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver who allegedly shot dog Oliver -Prime Capital Blueprint
Angie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver who allegedly shot dog Oliver
View
Date:2025-04-16 00:56:04
Angie Harmon is suing Instacart and the delivery driver who fatally shot her dog outside her home in Charlotte, North Carolina, in late March.
Harmon, 51, is suing the grocery delivery service and driver, named in the filing as Christopher Anthoney Reid, for alleged trespassing, conversion, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress, according to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, court records obtained by USA TODAY Wednesday. The actress is suing Instacart for negligent hiring and negligent misrepresentation.
The "Rizzoli & Isles" star is seeking more than $25,000 in damages, but an exact amount would be determined at trial.
"Our hearts continue to be with Ms. Harmon and her family following this disturbing incident," Instacart said in a statement to USA TODAY Wednesday. "While we cannot comment on pending litigation, we have no tolerance for violence of any kind, and the shopper account has been permanently deactivated from our platform."
In an Instagram post on April 1, the former "Law & Order" star said a man delivering groceries for Instacart got out of his car and shot family pet Oliver aka "Ollie" the day before.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"He shot our dog with my daughters and myself at home and just kept saying, 'Yeah, I shot your dog. Yeah I did,'" Harmon wrote at the time. "We are completely traumatized and beyond devastated at the loss of our beloved boy and family member."
Harmon said the man was not arrested after he claimed "self-defense" but added that "he did not have a scratch or bite on him nor were his pants torn."
Harmon says the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department closed the investigation after only interviewing Reid and before an animal autopsy could be completed, according to the suit.
'Completely traumatized':Angie Harmon says Instacart driver shot and killed her dog
The Instacart driver used the name and photo of an older woman named Merle, the lawsuit alleges. But instead of Merle, it was Reid who showed up at her home, a "tall and intimidating younger man."
The filing says her daughters, who are listed as parties in the suit, were playing in the backyard at the time of the delivery.
When Harmon ran to investigate what she believed was a gunshot, she alleges she saw Reid place a "gun in the front of his pants, potentially in his pant pocket." She then saw Oliver, shot but alive, the lawsuit says. The actress drove the dog to a veterinarian's office, where he later died.
Harmon says she did not give Reid "permission to interfere, interact with, or otherwise disturb Oliver."
Jon Stewartchokes up in emotional 'Daily Show' segment about his dog's death
Reid was "not injured" or "seriously threatened" by Harmon's dog and had "ample opportunity" to leave her property unharmed without shooting it, the lawsuit alleges.
For Instacart's part, Harmon's lawyers say the company provided "false information" to Harmon and "breached" its duty to "exercise ordinary and reasonable care in the screening, hiring, training, retention, and supervision of its employees."
Angie Harmon reflects on death of dog Oliver shot by Instacart driver
In a "Good Morning America" interview aired Wednesday, Harmon recalled the incident and the toll losing Oliver has taken on her family.
"It's so unfathomable to think that there is somebody in your front driveway that just fired a gun," Harmon told ABC News' Juju Chang. "And you don't ever forget that sound."
Her family was "in such shock," she said of her daughters' reactions. "I was screaming at Avery to call 911. And when I said that, (the delivery driver) goes, 'No, I'm calling 911. I'll do it.'"
The actress later said the animal autopsy performed on Oliver showed no signs of having bitten or violently attacked anyone.
Harmon's daughters, Emery, 15, and Avery Sehorn, 18, told Chang they never saw Oliver, a beagle mix, be aggressive toward delivery drivers.
"I order five Amazon packages a day, and it's never been an issue," Sehorn said.
Contributing: Anthony Robledo
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Apple AirTags can track your keys, wallet and luggage—save 10% today
- It's never too late to explore your gender identity. Here's how to start
- DNC to raise billboards in Times Square, across U.S. to highlight abortion rights a year after Roe v. Wade struck down
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Ex-NYPD sergeant convicted of acting as Chinese agent
- Across America, Activists Work at the Confluence of LGBTQ Rights and Climate Justice
- Inside the Coal War Games
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- FAMU clears football activities to resume after unauthorized rap video in locker room
Ranking
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Idaho Murders Case: Judge Enters Not Guilty Plea for Bryan Kohberger
- Summer House Reunion: It's Lindsay Hubbard and Carl Radke vs. Everyone Else in Explosive Trailer
- Wind Industry, Riding Tax-Credit Rollercoaster, Reports Year of Growth
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Irina Shayk Proves Lingerie Can Be High-Fashion With Risqué Cannes Film Festival Look
- Julia Fox Frees the Nipple in See-Through Glass Top at Cannes Film Festival 2023
- Dr. Dre to receive inaugural Hip-Hop Icon Award from music licensing group ASCAP
Recommendation
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
Industrial Strength: How the U.S. Government Hid Fracking’s Risks to Drinking Water
Today is 2023's Summer Solstice. Here's what to know about the official start of summer
In the Mountains, Climate Change Is Disrupting Everything, from How Water Flows to When Plants Flower
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Abortion policies could make the Republican Party's 'suburban women problem' worse
'A Day With No Words' can be full of meaningful communication
In the Mountains, Climate Change Is Disrupting Everything, from How Water Flows to When Plants Flower