Angie Harmon, best known for her role on Law & Order, has filed a lawsuit against Instacart and the delivery driver who allegedly shot and killed her dog at her North Carolina home in late March. The incident was detailed in an Instagram post where Harmon claimed that her dog Oliver was killed by the man delivering groceries for Instacart. The lawsuit includes claims of trespassing, conversion, negligence, negligent supervision/hiring, invasion of privacy, and negligent misrepresentation. Reid, the delivery driver, was accused of impersonating a woman named “Merle” on the Instacart app and displaying intimidating behavior towards Harmon.
Harmon had been communicating with the driver, Reid, through the Instacart app and was unaware that she was actually talking to someone else. When Reid arrived at her home, Harmon heard what sounded like a gunshot. Concerned for her children’s safety who were in the backyard at the time, Harmon rushed outside to investigate. She then saw Reid holding a gun and her dog Oliver, who had been shot but was still alive. Harmon immediately took her dog to the vet, but unfortunately, Oliver did not survive. Reid claimed that he shot the dog in self-defense as it had attacked him upon his arrival at the house. However, the lawsuit argues that Reid was not injured or seriously threatened by the dog and had other options to handle the situation without resorting to violence.
The lawsuit seeks damages of over $25,000 and accuses Reid and Instacart of negligent behavior leading to the death of Harmon’s dog. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department had been involved in the investigation, with Reid being the primary suspect in the shooting. Instacart responded to the incident by suspending Reid and stating that they have zero tolerance for violence of any kind. The company has been cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation and expressed sympathy for Harmon and her family. In a new statement, Instacart reiterated their stance against violence and confirmed that Reid’s shopper account had been permanently deactivated from their platform.
Angie Harmon’s lawsuit against Instacart and the driver who shot her dog has brought attention to issues of negligence, deception, and violence in the delivery industry. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of customers and their pets when using such services. Harmon’s legal action seeks to hold Instacart and its employees accountable for their role in the tragic event resulting in the loss of her beloved pet. The lawsuit alleges that Reid’s actions were not justified and that there were alternative ways to handle the situation without resorting to lethal force. The case highlights the need for proper training and supervision of delivery drivers to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The lawsuit filed by Angie Harmon against Instacart and the delivery driver who shot her dog has sparked a conversation about accountability and responsibility in the gig economy. As more people rely on delivery services for their everyday needs, the safety and well-being of customers, including their pets, must be prioritized. Harmon’s legal action seeks justice for her dog Oliver and aims to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other pet owners. Instacart’s response to the incident, including suspending the driver involved and deactivating his shopper account, shows a commitment to taking action against violence. However, the lawsuit highlights the need for stronger measures to ensure the safety of both customers and delivery workers in the future.
