Actor Angie Harmon has filed a lawsuit against Instacart and one of its former delivery shoppers after a tragic incident in March resulted in the death of her dog.
The lawsuit, filed last week in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, seeks to hold both the delivery driver and Instacart accountable for the fatal shooting that occurred at Harmon’s home.
The Incident
The heartbreaking event took place on March 30, 2024. According to the complaint, Harmon had placed an order for grocery delivery through the Instacart app from a local Charlotte store. The app indicated that her shopper was an older woman named Merle, with whom Harmon believed she was communicating about her order via text messages.
Unexpected Arrival
Contrary to her expectations, a “tall and intimidating younger man,” rather than an older woman, arrived to deliver the groceries. Harmon was upstairs at the time, filling her squirrel feeders, when she heard a gunshot. Rushing outside, she discovered her dog, Oliver, had been shot. She saw the delivery person putting a gun into the front of his pants. Harmon’s teenage daughters, who were outside at the time, were visibly distressed by the incident. Despite efforts to save him, Oliver died at the veterinarian’s office.
Legal Claims
The lawsuit alleges trespassing, gross negligence, emotional distress, and invasion of privacy, among other claims. It accuses Instacart of negligent hiring, supervision, retention, and misrepresentation. Harmon’s legal team is seeking monetary damages to be determined at trial.
Instacart’s Response
Instacart issued a statement expressing their condolences to Harmon and her family. “Our hearts continue to be with Ms. Harmon and her family following this disturbing incident,” the statement read. “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.”
Instacart also stated that the shopper involved in the incident has been permanently banned from their platform. The company emphasized that it conducts comprehensive background checks on its shoppers, prohibits them from carrying weapons, and employs anti-fraud measures, including periodic photo verifications, to ensure the shopper’s identity matches the profile on file.
Harmon’s Statement
In an interview with “Good Morning America,” Harmon expressed her shock and sorrow over the incident. “It is so unfathomable to think that there is somebody in your front driveway who just fired a gun,” she said. Harmon criticized Instacart, saying, “I think Instacart is beyond responsible for all of this. This didn’t have to happen.”
Police Investigation
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported that the delivery driver claimed he shot the dog after it attacked him. Despite this claim, no criminal charges were pursued. Harmon disputed this account in a social media post, stating that the shopper “did not have a scratch or bite on him nor were his pants torn.”
Community Reaction
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for better regulations and screening for delivery personnel. Animal rights activists and the general public have voiced their support for Harmon, demanding accountability and stricter measures to prevent such tragedies.
Angie Harmon’s lawsuit against Instacart and the delivery driver highlights the need for stringent protocols in the gig economy to ensure the safety of both customers and their pets. As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a somber reminder of the responsibilities companies have in safeguarding their clients. Many people will be paying close attention to the outcome of this lawsuit because it emphasizes the significance of safety and trust in delivery services.
The Information is Taken from People and CBS News
