A Florida woman will not face prosecution for the fatal shooting of a U.S. Army veteran in a North Lauderdale Walmart parking lot this past summer.
The Broward County State Attorney’s Office released a closeout memo on Thursday identifying the shooter as Melissa Payne. According to the document, investigators concluded that Payne acted within the scope of Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which grants immunity from arrest and prosecution if a person reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm while in a place they have a legal right to be.
The incident, which occurred on June 30, began as a parking dispute between Payne and Bart Diguglielmo. Prosecutors stated that after a “brief stalemate,” Diguglielmo parked his SUV, walked toward Payne’s vehicle, and lingered nearby while appearing angry. Witnesses reported that he had previously threatened Payne, telling her, “I’m gonna f*** your shit up.”
As Diguglielmo approached Payne’s car, she exited with a phone in one hand and a gun in the other, repeatedly warning him to stay back. The memo notes that despite her warnings—including, “If you keep coming up to me, I’m going to f***ing shoot you!”—Diguglielmo continued to advance while making hand gestures. Payne ultimately fired a single shot into his abdomen. Diguglielmo was transported to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The decision has left the veteran’s family devastated. Amanda Diguglielmo, the victim’s daughter, described her father as a devoted family man, grandfather, and emergency room trauma nurse of 30 years. Her attorney, Melissa Rodriguez, expressed deep frustration with the ruling.
“Amanda Diguglielmo is very disappointed to hear that they won’t be pursuing criminal charges in the case. We have maintained that the situation did not warrant stand your ground immunity,” Rodriguez said, adding that they do not believe the shooting was justified.