Friends of Man Fatally Shot at Dog Park Demand Justice

The Hillsborough County dog park community is in shock after the fatal shooting of a beloved friend, Walter Lay, by another dog owner, Gerald Declan Radford. Friends of Lay are sharing videos he made before the tragic event, detailing the escalating harassment he faced from Radford at West Dog Park.

In one video, Lay expressed fear for his safety, stating, “You’re gonna die,” recounting a chilling encounter with Radford the day before his death. Lay’s friends describe Radford as shouting anti-gay insults at him, adding another layer of concern to the situation.

Radford claims self-defense in the shooting, sending a text to a friend with a photo of his injuries from the incident. However, Lay’s friends dispute this account, citing Radford’s history of hostility towards Lay and the LGBTQ+ community.

Despite the community’s concerns, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has not filed charges against Radford, stating there is no danger to the public. However, friends of Lay are pushing for further investigation and action, with one individual requesting a risk protection order to have Radford’s guns taken away.

As the investigation is set to be turned over to the State Attorney’s office, the dog park community remains unsettled and seeking justice for their friend. If you have any information related to this case, you can contact the I-Team for further investigation.