South Florida woman won’t face charges in Walmart parking lot shooting, prosecutors say
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. —
A South Florida woman accused of fatally shooting a man during a dispute over a parking spot at a Walmart will not face criminal charges.
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The Broward County state attorney’s office announced that prosecutors determined Melissa Payne was protected under Florida’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ law.
The shooting happened in June and was captured on video, which later gained widespread attention.
According to prosecutors, Payne got into an argument with Bart DiGuglielmo in the Walmart parking lot. Witnesses told investigators that DiGuglielmo appeared angry and threatened to “mess her car up.”
Authorities said Payne displayed a firearm and warned DiGuglielmo to stay back. Prosecutors said multiple witnesses reported that he continued approaching her despite those warnings.
One witness told investigators that DiGuglielmo aggressively moved toward Payne just before she fired the gun.
DiGuglielmo was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
After reviewing witness statements and evidence, prosecutors concluded that Payne was legally justified in using deadly force under Florida law. As a result, no charges will be filed against her.
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