TAMPA, Fla. – The West Dog Park in Tampa’s Leto community is a place where the bond between humans and their canine companions runs deep. For the regular visitors of the park, it is a community where friendships are forged, and memories are made. Unfortunately, a tragic incident has shaken this close-knit group.
On a particular Saturday morning, the park was not the usual cheerful gathering place it typically is. Instead, it became the site of mourning for one of its beloved members, John Walter Lay. Lay was shot and killed at the dog park on Feb. 2, leaving the community in shock and disbelief over the senseless act of violence.
The evening before his death, Lay had sent a chilling video to a friend, detailing an encounter with George Declan Radford, who was also a regular visitor to the park. It was revealed that Radford had directed homophobic slurs at Lay, leading to speculation about the motives behind the tragic shooting.
Despite the tragedy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office did not make any arrests in the case, as Radford claimed self-defense and there were no witnesses to corroborate or dispute his claim. This has left Lay’s friends and the community grappling with a sense of injustice and seeking closure amidst the tragedy.
The case has drawn attention from Equality Florida, with Ant Avila, the Tampa Bay community organizer for the organization, voicing the need for a fair and thorough investigation. The LGBTQ community is also considering ways to honor Lay’s memory, whether through a memorial at the park or by renaming it in his honor, serving as a testament to their fight for justice.
Lay’s best friend of 33 years, Tommy, reflected on Lay’s struggles as a gay man, including being discharged from the Navy due to his sexual orientation. This tragic incident has not only affected those who knew Lay personally but also serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle for equality and justice within the LGBTQ community.