Actress Angie Harmon, known for her roles in “Rizzoli & Isles” and “Law & Order,” is embroiled in a legal battle following the tragic death of her dog Oliver. According to a lawsuit filed in North Carolina, a delivery driver for Instacart allegedly shot and killed the dog on Easter weekend.
Lawsuit Details Alarming Discrepancies
The lawsuit names both the delivery driver, Christopher Anthoney Reid, and Instacart as defendants. The suit alleges that Reid used a false identity while delivering groceries to Harmon’s residence. According to the lawsuit, Harmon believed she was communicating with an older woman named “Merle” based on the profile picture in the Instacart app. However, when the delivery arrived, a “tall and intimidating younger man” showed up instead.
Witness Testimony Paints Disturbing Picture
The lawsuit further details the harrowing events of the day. Harmon, who was inside the house at the time of the delivery, heard a gunshot and rushed outside to find her daughters in distress. She witnessed Reid allegedly placing a gun back into his pants and saw her dog Oliver lying wounded. The lawsuit emphasizes that there is no evidence Reid was ever threatened by the dog and had ample opportunity to leave the property without resorting to deadly force.
Instacart Faces Scrutiny Over Driver Screening
The lawsuit against Instacart centers on alleged negligence in hiring, supervision, and retention of its delivery drivers. Harmon’s legal team argues that Instacart failed to properly vet Reid, potentially putting customers and their pets at risk.
A Family’s Grieving Journey
In an interview with People magazine, Harmon opened up about the emotional trauma her family endured. She described the frantic rush to the emergency vet and the agonizing moments witnessing Oliver being resuscitated. The interview also revealed that police questioned Reid but ultimately let him go, despite the lack of injuries on his person.
Instacart Offers Condolences but Maintains Stance
Instacart has responded to the lawsuit with statements expressing condolences to the Harmon family. The company has also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for violence and confirmed that Reid’s account has been permanently deactivated from the platform. However, citing pending litigation, Instacart declined to comment further on the specifics of the case.
