Tampa, Florida – A Florida man was charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a gay man at a Tampa dog park on Feb. 2, according to the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors revealed that the victim was targeted because of his sexual orientation.
Gerald Declan Radford, 65, of Tampa, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Walter Lay, 52. The arrest came after investigators gathered evidence that raised doubts about Radford’s claim of acting in self-defense at the scene. The initial investigation began after authorities responded to a call at the West Dog Park in Hillsborough County, where they found Lay with a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, Lay was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Radford initially claimed that he shot Lay in self-defense during a scuffle between the two men at the dog park. However, community members later came forward with information indicating that Radford had used bigoted slurs towards Lay and expressed a desire to harm him. Prosecutors announced that they would seek tougher sentencing under the state’s hate crime laws.
Community members and Lay’s friends expressed concerns about the delay in Radford’s arrest. Radford’s defense of self-defense raised questions about Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which allows individuals to use deadly force if they feel threatened. The law gained national attention in 2012 following the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida.
According to a study by the JAMA network in 2022, stand-your-ground laws have been associated with an increase in rates of homicide. Investigators credited community members and video recordings made by Lay before his death with providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. State Attorney Suzy Lopez emphasized the need for justice in cases where individuals are targeted based on their sexual orientation.
In a statement, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned Radford’s actions, stating that they were motivated by hatred. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Prosecutors and law enforcement officials reiterated their commitment to holding individuals like Radford accountable for their actions.
The case underscored the importance of combating hate crimes and discrimination. Lopez emphasized that individuals should be able to enjoy public spaces without fear of violence based on their identity. The community rallied together in support of Lay’s family and friends as they sought justice in the aftermath of the tragic incident.