Actress Angie Harmon, known for her role in Law & Order, recently filed a lawsuit against grocery delivery service Instacart and the delivery driver who allegedly shot and killed one of her dogs at her home in North Carolina. The incident occurred in late March, when Harmon had scheduled groceries to be delivered to her home. The delivery driver, identified as Christopher Anthoney Reid, allegedly impersonated someone else on the Instacart app and shot Harmon’s dog, Oliver, when he arrived at her house. Harmon, who was with her children at the time, was terrified for their safety and rushed her dog to the vet, where it later died.
The lawsuit filed by Harmon accuses Instacart and the delivery driver of various charges including trespassing, conversion, negligence, negligent supervision/hiring, invasion of privacy, and negligent misrepresentation. The suit claims that Reid, who presented himself as an older woman named “Merle” on the app, was actually a young man described as tall and intimidating. Harmon heard a gunshot when Reid arrived at her home and witnessed him putting a gun in his pants. Despite the dog being shot, it was still alive when Harmon saw it. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that Reid claimed he shot the dog in self-defence, but the lawsuit argues that he was not seriously threatened by the dog and had other options.
Harmon is seeking over $25,000 in damages from Instacart and the delivery driver for the incident involving the death of her dog. This lawsuit highlights the issue of safety and accountability when it comes to delivery services and the workers they employ. Instacart, in response to the incident, stated that they were saddened and disturbed by what happened and have permanently deactivated the shopper’s account from their platform. The company emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards violence of any kind and assured that they are cooperating with the investigation.
The lawsuit filed by Angie Harmon sheds light on the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of customers and their pets when using delivery services. The incident involving the death of her dog has sparked a legal battle that seeks to hold Instacart and the delivery driver accountable for their actions. The lawsuit accuses Reid of impersonating someone else on the app and ultimately shooting Harmon’s dog, leading to its death. Harmon’s legal action seeks justice for the loss of her beloved pet and aims to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The lawsuit alleges that Reid had ample opportunity to leave the premises without resorting to violence against the dog, and that there was no legitimate reason for him to feel threatened. Harmon’s immediate reaction to the gunshot and her efforts to seek help for her injured dog demonstrate the emotional toll this incident had on her and her family. The legal action taken by Harmon against Instacart and the delivery driver serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and safety in the delivery industry. By seeking damages and holding those involved responsible, Harmon hopes to bring closure to the tragic event and ensure that justice is served.
In response to the lawsuit, Instacart expressed their condolences to Harmon and her family and reiterated their commitment to preventing violence in any form. The company’s decision to permanently deactivate the shopper’s account underscores their zero-tolerance policy towards such incidents. By cooperating with law enforcement and addressing the issue internally, Instacart aims to uphold their reputation as a reliable and safe delivery service. The outcome of this legal battle will not only impact the parties involved but also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially leading to stricter regulations and increased accountability within the industry.
