Florida man charged with murder in death of gay man at dog park

[Eugene]

Source: NBC News

Florida man charged with murder in death of gay man at dog park

Gerald Declan Radford, 65, was charged for the murder of John Walter Lay in Tampa last month, in what prosecutors are calling a hate crime.

March 8, 2024, 6:55 PM EST
By Matt Lavietes

A man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to a shooting at a Tampa dog park last month that led to the death of a 52-year-old gay man, Florida prosecutors said Friday.

Gerald Declan Radford, 65, was charged with second-degree murder for the deadly shooting of John Walter Lay, which Radford initially alleged was in self-defense, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Prosecutors said their investigation revealed that Radford used bigoted slurs toward the victim prior to shooting him and are seeking a hate crime enhancement on the charge.

“We should all be able to enjoy a day at the dog park without the fear of gunfire. This victim also deserved to live free from fear and discrimination based on his sexual orientation,” Florida State Attorney Suzy Lopez said in a statement. “The evidence shows the defendant’s actions were motivated by hate, and he will be held accountable. My heart is with the victim’s family and large group of friends as we fight for justice together.”

-snip-

LGBTQ advocates welcomed the charges, but criticized state law that protects individuals from facing prosecution for a homicide if they claim they killed someone in order to defend themselves, also known as a “stand your ground” law.

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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-man-charged-murder-death-gay-man-dog-park-rcna142563

[shenmue]

1. Rest in peace.

[70sEraVet]

2. It took a MONTH because of the Stand Your Ground law!

"Lopez’s office noted in a news release Friday the frustration some felt regarding the length of time it took for the charges to be brought, roughly a month."
(Same article)

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. Yep. They had to wait until the government was ridiculed and insulted enough to decide to do something.

Justice had little to do with it. Bastards all.

[Habitation]

4. I spoke to that guy at least a dozen times 5 years ago

Same dog park.

He was a very angry person all the time.

Antivaxxer
Go bag always ready
Anti mosquito fogger thing on his backpack or bag that was always at his side
Always had a gun with him
Repeatedly complained about gays.

I'll never forget the time he was complaining about his son's autism being caused by a childhood vaccine.

I told him the latest studies showed a positive correlation of autism with with maternal use of Tylenol during pregnancy.

He started raging at me and yelling so I left. As I was leaving he walked quickly towards me, yelling. But .. there was a chain link fence between us. His rage, the hatred in his eyes and his words made me think he was going to shoot me.

I have told that story at least 6 times to various people over the years. About a lunatic antivaxxer who I feared wanted to shoot me.

Last time I saw Gerald was about 5 years ago. I'm not at all surprised he murdered someone.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who knew him more recently.

I'm shocked he made thorough 2019-2020 without shooting anybody.

[Habitation]

5. His side of the incident

https://archive.is/2024.03.12-205212/https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2024/03/12/man-accused-hate-crime-tampa-dog-park-shooting-says-he-didnt-start-fight/