A dispute over a parking space outside a Walmart in South Florida ended in a fatal shooting that left a 62 year old military veteran dead, while the woman who fired the gun told investigators she acted in self defense, authorities said.
The shooting occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday outside the Walmart at 7900 West McNab Road in North Lauderdale, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators identified the victim as Bart DiGuglielmo of Lauderhill. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center after suffering a gunshot wound and later died from his injuries.
Authorities said the confrontation began as an argument over a parking space before escalating into a deadly shooting witnessed by bystanders and captured on video.
The woman involved remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators and asserted that she acted in self defense. No criminal charges had been announced as of the latest official update.
What We Know So Far
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to reports of a shooting and found DiGuglielmo wounded in the parking lot.
Investigators said the victim and the woman became involved in a dispute over a parking space before the woman fired a handgun.
Videos recorded by a witness and cameras installed on a nearby Tesla captured portions of the encounter.
The Daily Mail, citing witness accounts and video footage, reported that DiGuglielmo initially parked his sport utility vehicle in a manner that prevented the woman from parking before moving his vehicle and allowing her to use the space.
The publication said the woman exited her vehicle and spoke with people inside DiGuglielmo’s vehicle before he approached her. Video reviewed by the newspaper showed the woman holding a firearm while both individuals exchanged words.
According to the Daily Mail, the woman repeatedly told DiGuglielmo to walk away while pointing the weapon. The footage appears to show him briefly turning away before returning toward her. Moments later, she fired a single shot, and he fell to the ground.
The authenticity of the publicly circulated videos has not been independently verified by The Associated Press.
What Authorities Are Saying
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said the woman remained at the scene following the shooting, fully cooperated with detectives and told investigators she fired in self defense.
Officials said the investigation remains active and that detectives will present the case to the Broward State Attorney’s Office, which will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
Authorities have not publicly identified the woman.
Family Remembers Veteran
Family members described DiGuglielmo as a decorated military veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm and later spent approximately three decades working as a nurse before retiring.
His sister told CBS News that he was a devoted Christian and a kind person whose death has devastated the family.
His daughter, Amanda Marie, thanked friends and supporters in a Facebook post for their condolences and asked that immediate family members not participate in media interviews while they grieve.
She wrote that she wished she had spent more time with her father and expressed appreciation for the support shown to her family.
Family members also said DiGuglielmo was a twin whose brother died several years ago.
Why This Matters
The case illustrates the potentially deadly consequences of everyday confrontations that escalate into violence.
Because the shooting was recorded by witnesses and surveillance cameras, investigators are expected to closely examine the available video evidence alongside witness statements, forensic findings and applicable Florida self defense laws before prosecutors decide whether criminal charges should be filed.
Under Florida law, a claim of self defense does not automatically prevent prosecution. Investigators and prosecutors must determine whether the use of deadly force was legally justified based on the specific circumstances of the encounter.
What Happens Next
Detectives continue reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements and physical evidence as part of the investigation.
Once the investigation is complete, the Broward State Attorney’s Office will decide whether the evidence supports criminal charges or whether the shooting is legally justified under Florida law.
Until prosecutors reach that determination, the woman’s claim of self defense remains part of the ongoing investigation and has not been confirmed by a court.
Fatal confrontations arising from routine disputes continue to present complex legal questions, particularly in states with broad self defense statutes.
Cases involving recorded evidence often require prosecutors to examine not only the moment deadly force was used but also the actions of both individuals leading up to the shooting.
Video footage can provide important context, but legal determinations ultimately depend on whether investigators conclude that the shooter reasonably believed deadly force was necessary under applicable law.
Sources: Daily Mail; NBC 6 South Florida; CBS News
