Last month, actress Angie Harmon, known for her roles in Rizzoli & Isles and Law & Order, shared the heartbreaking news that her dog Oliver had been shot and killed by an Instacart delivery driver. As an animal lover, Harmon was devastated by this shocking incident and is now seeking justice by taking legal action against both the company and the person responsible.
A Devastating Loss
The incident occurred over Easter weekend when Harmon had groceries delivered to her North Carolina home through Instacart. Tragically, the delivery driver shot and killed Oliver, Harmon’s beloved beagle mix. According to Harmon’s Instagram post, the driver admitted to shooting the dog, claiming self-defense. However, Harmon disputes this, stating that there was no evidence of any aggression from Oliver.
“He didn’t have a mark on him,” Harmon shared with People. “He didn’t have a scratch; he didn’t have torn jeans. He didn’t have puncture marks. Most importantly, he didn’t ask for help.” Harmon also revealed that her Ring doorbell camera was charging at the time, so there is no video footage of the incident.
The Legal Battle Begins
In her pursuit of justice, Harmon has filed a lawsuit against Instacart and the delivery driver, identified as Christopher Anthoney Reid. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses them of negligence, trespassing, infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy. Harmon alleges that she heard the gunshot and rushed downstairs, fearing for her children’s safety. She claims to have witnessed Reid hiding a gun in the front of his pants.
Speaking to ABC News’ Juju Chang, Harmon expressed her disbelief over the shocking incident. “It’s so unfathomable to think that there is somebody in your front driveway that just fired a gun,” she said. “And you don’t ever forget that sound.”
According to People, the lawsuit argues that Oliver was still alive after being shot and was rushed to the vet but sadly did not survive. It also questions Reid’s self-defense claims, highlighting that he had opportunities to leave the property without harming the dog.
Seeking Justice for Oliver
The loss of Oliver has deeply traumatized Harmon and her family. In an emotional Instagram post, Harmon wrote, “To the man who took Ollie away from us: your actions are despicable and inexcusable. You’ve not only robbed us of a beloved member of our family but you’ve also traumatized us beyond measure.”
Instacart, the grocery delivery service implicated in the incident, responded to the news by immediately suspending the shopper’s account and stating their zero-tolerance policy for violence. They are cooperating with law enforcement’s investigation.
It is truly heartbreaking to hear about what happened to Angie Harmon’s dog Oliver. We stand with her and hope that justice will be served. Please share this story to raise awareness about this shocking incident and the importance of protecting our beloved pets.
