Tampa, Florida – A Florida man, Gerald Declan Radford, 65, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Walter Lay, 52, at a Tampa dog park. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office announced that the victim was targeted because of his sexual orientation. Radford was arrested five weeks after the fatal shooting, as investigators gathered evidence that contradicted his claim of self-defense made at the scene.
According to prosecutors, Lay had sent a video to friends the day before his death, expressing concerns about a man named “Dec” who had been threatening him. It is believed that Radford was the individual referenced in the video. The arrest was made after community members came forward with information indicating that Radford had used bigoted slurs towards Lay and expressed intentions to harm him at the dog park.
Authorities responded to the incident at West Dog Park in Hillsborough County, where Lay was found with a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, Lay succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Radford initially claimed that he shot Lay in self-defense during a scuffle between the two.
Prosecutors plan to seek tougher sentencing under hate crime laws due to the apparent homophobic motivations behind the shooting. The case highlights the challenges of refuting a claim of self-defense, particularly in the context of Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which allows individuals to use deadly force if they feel threatened.
In a statement, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned Radford’s actions as motivated by hatred and emphasized that such behavior is not tolerated in their community. State Attorney Suzy Lopez echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that everyone should be able to enjoy public spaces without fear of violence based on their identity.
The investigation into Lay’s death was aided by community members who provided key information and video recordings made by the victim himself before the shooting. The case serves as a reminder of the impact of hate-motivated crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.