Angie Harmon, notable for her role in “Rizzoli & Isles,” reported that law enforcement officials released an Instacart delivery driver following an incident where he shot her dog, asserting ‘self-defense’ as the rationale for his actions.
In a statement released via social media on Monday, Angie Harmon, known for her work on “Rizzoli & Isles,” alleged that an Instacart delivery driver fatally shot her family’s dog. The incident, resulting in the death of the dog named Oliver, took place over the Easter weekend shortly after the delivery of an order to Harmon’s residence.
Harmon detailed the sequence of events in an Instagram post, stating, “He exited his vehicle, completed the delivery of the groceries, and then proceeded to shoot our dog.” She further mentioned that their security camera was not operational at the time, as it was being charged inside the house—a detail she believes the driver noticed, understanding that his actions were not being recorded.
The actress reported that the delivery driver defended his actions by claiming “self-defense.” Subsequently, law enforcement officials decided to release him without charges.
Harmon further alleged that the individual involved in the incident bore no physical evidence of an altercation with the dog, stating, “He did not have a scratch or bite on him, nor were his pants torn.” She also disclosed an unusual detail regarding the identity used by the delivery driver, noting, “He was shopping under a woman’s identity named Merle… the picture is on my story.” Harmon supported her claim by posting a screenshot of the delivery confirmation, which unexpectedly displayed a photo of a woman.
She recounted the harrowing experience of the shooting, explaining that it occurred while she and her daughters were at home. Harmon described the delivery driver’s response to their shock and grief with unsettling detachment: “He shot our dog with my daughters and myself at home & just kept saying, ‘yeah, I shot your dog. Yeah, I did.'” The actress expressed the profound impact of the incident on her family, emphasizing their collective trauma and the deep sorrow over the loss of Oliver, who was not just a pet but a cherished member of their family.
Instacart has temporarily deactivated the account of the delivery driver involved and is collaborating with law enforcement to further investigate the incident, as conveyed to Fox News Digital by a company representative.
Instacart issued a statement expressing their dismay and concern over the event, stating, “We were deeply saddened and disturbed to hear about this incident. We have no tolerance for violence of any kind, and the shopper’s account was immediately suspended from our platform. We have been in direct contact with the customer and are cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation.”
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, having conducted an inquiry into the March 30 incident, determined that no charges would be brought forward. A department spokesperson provided details to Fox News Digital, noting, “Upon arrival, officers located and spoke to all involved parties. The investigation revealed that a delivery driver arrived at the residence to deliver consumable goods. The driver informed officers that he was attacked by a dog while on the premises and defended himself by firing a single gunshot, which struck and mortally wounded the dog. Another dog was present but did not engage in the attack.”
Additionally, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care and Control unit was dispatched to the scene as part of the response to the incident.
In the wake of the incident, Angie Harmon received an outpouring of support from her peers within the entertainment industry, evident through their responses on her social media platform.
Paulina Porizkova expressed her shock at the news, commenting, “This is UNBELIEVABLE! I don’t even know how to react to this.” Similarly, Allison Janney conveyed her horror and disbelief, stating, “Oh my god, I’m horrified beyond disbelief…. I can’t even begin to imagine. Stunned.” These reactions underscore the collective dismay and empathy felt by Harmon’s friends and colleagues in response to the distressing event.
Among the multitude of responses from Angie Harmon’s followers, there was a strong call to action, urging her to leverage her public platform and connections for justice. One user emphatically advised, “Use your networking and media to take this guy down and file a suite against the police department for not doing anything. If he’s that quick to pull a gun out, it’s just a matter of time before he does it again or to a person.” This sentiment reflects a broader concern among her audience, not only for the immediate injustice faced by Harmon but also for the potential future risk posed by the individual’s behavior.
