Current:Home > FinanceAngie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver who allegedly shot dog Oliver -TrueNorth Finance Path
Angie Harmon sues Instacart, delivery driver who allegedly shot dog Oliver
View
Date:2025-04-13 08:10:51
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! (974)
Related
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- After 'hell and back' journey, Tara Davis-Woodhall takes long jump gold at Paris Olympics
- Team USA golfer Lilia Vu's amazing family story explains why Olympics mean so much
- Serbian athlete dies in Texas CrossFit competition, reports say
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Americans tested by 10K swim in the Seine. 'Hardest thing I've ever done'
- Will Steve Martin play Tim Walz on 'Saturday Night Live'? Comedian reveals his answer
- Teen Mom Stars Amber Portwood and Gary Shirley’s Daughter Leah Looks All Grown Up in Rare Photo
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Fewer Americans file for jobless benefits last week, but applications remain slightly elevated
Ranking
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Andrew Young returns to south Georgia city where he first became pastor for exhibit on his life
- Former Uvalde schools police chief says he’s being ‘scapegoated’ over response to mass shooting
- Julianne Moore’s Son Caleb Freundlich Engaged to Kibriyaá Morgan
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Fire destroys landmark paper company factory in southwestern Ohio
- 2024 Olympics: Runner Noah Lyles Exits Race in Wheelchair After Winning Bronze With COVID Diagnosis
- Former Super Bowl MVP, Eagles hero Nick Foles retiring after 11-year NFL career
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
'This is fabulous': Woman creates GoFundMe for 90-year-old man whose wife has dementia
Missouri man dies illegally BASE jumping at Grand Canyon National Park; parachute deployed
Get an Extra 50% Off J.Crew Sale Styles, 50% Off Banana Republic, 40% Off Brooklinen & More Deals
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Samsung is recalling more than 1 million electric ranges after numerous fire and injury reports
Who is Nick Mead? Rower makes history as Team USA flag bearer at closing ceremony with Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky, Nick Mead to lead US team at closing ceremony in Paris