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:2025-04-12 09:42:36
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! (144)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Wildfire doubles in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains as evacuations continue
- Officer fatally shoots armed man on Indiana college campus after suspect doesn’t respond to commands
- Is Australia catching the US in swimming? It's gold medals vs. total medals
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- First interest rate cut in 4 years likely on the horizon as the Federal Reserve meets
- An all-electric police fleet? California city replaces all gas-powered police cars.
- Social Security benefits for retired workers, spouses and survivors: 4 things married couples must know
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Two sets of US rowers qualify for finals as lightweight pairs falls off
Ranking
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- The best 3-row SUVs with captain's seats that command comfort
- Severe storms in the Southeast US leave 1 dead and cause widespread power outages
- Wisconsin high school survey shows that students continue to struggle with mental health
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Interest rate cut coming soon, but Fed likely won't tell you exactly when this week
- Growing number of Maui residents are 'barely surviving,' new report finds
- 'Crying for their parents': More than 900 children died at Indian boarding schools, U.S. report finds
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Relatives sue for prison video after guards charged in Black Missouri man’s death
First interest rate cut in 4 years likely on the horizon as the Federal Reserve meets
Hoda Kotb Uses a Stapler to Fix Wardrobe Malfunction While Hosting in Paris
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
Green Day setlist: All the Saviors Tour songs
DJ Moore signs 4-year, $110 million extension with Chicago Bears
Hit with falling sales, McDonald's extends popular $5 meal deal, eyes big new burger