Gerald Declan Radford is the accused murderer from Tampa. Florida, A man from Tampa, Gerald Declan Radford, is charged with killing another man at a dog park because the victim was gay.
Suzy Lopez, the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney, stated that in a press release. In a statement, Suzy Lopez, the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney, mentioned that. Prosecutors believe Radford shot John Walter Lay as a result of Lay being gay, and authorities believe Radford was the “aggressor.” That’s what Suzy Lopez, the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney, mentioned.
In a statement, Suzy Lopez, the Hillsborough County State’s Attorney, wrote that the evidence shows Radford was the aggressor and was motivated by the fact that the victim was gay, despite the defendant's claim of self-defense.
Lay recorded a video detailing threats by Radford before he died, as mentioned by Lopez in a statement.
On March 8, 2024, in a news release.The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced on March 8, 2024, that a Tampa man was arrested for murder after a fatal shooting at a dog park.
On February 2, 2024, just before 8 a.m., deputies responded to a shooting at the West Dog Park in the Egypt Lake-Leto area. They found John Walter Lay, 52, who had been shot. Radford was arrested on March 8, 2024, at 1:50 p.m. and is being taken to the Orient Road Jail for booking, as stated in the release.
Friends have shared memories of Lay on a Facebook page called “Justice4Walt.” A woman wrote on the page, sharing memories of her friendship with Lay.
Here’s what you need to know:
Officials from the Sheriff’s Office stated that they encountered Gerald Declan Radford at the dog park shooting scene and he claimed that the shooting was in self-defense.
From the Sheriff's Department.Gerald Declan Radford.
Upon arriving at the dog park, deputies attempted to save Lay's life, but he was declared dead at a local hospital, according to the release.
Deputies came into contact with Gerald Declan Radford at the scene. Radford had called 911 after the shooting, claiming he was acting in self-defense, and remained at the scene to speak with deputies. At that time, deputies did not have enough evidence to determine if Radford was not acting in self-defense.
According to Sheriff Chad Chronister, this case is an example of the detectives’ dedication to seeking justice and finding the truth. He stated that they did not allow initial statements to derail them from focusing on the investigation.
Lopez mentioned that everyone should be able to enjoy a day at the dog park without fear of gunfire, and the victim deserved to live without fear and discrimination based on his sexual orientation. in a written declaration. “The proof indicates that the defendant’s actions were driven by hatred, and he will be responsible. I stand with the victim’s family and large group of friends as we seek justice together.”
John Walter Lay made a video before he died, in which he claimed that Gerald Declan Radford had threatened to kill him, as per reports.
Lopez stated that Radford dialed 911 after the shooting and informed dispatchers that he “shot a man in the dog park” after getting in a “scuffle” with him.
However, “several community members came forward in the days and weeks following the shooting to report hearing Radford use prejudiced insults toward the victim, even discussing wanting to harm him while at the dog park,” Lopez wrote.
She noted that the victim recorded a cell phone video “24 hours before the shooting warning his friends that Radford told him, ‘You’re gonna die.’”
As per Fox13, Lay and Radford were described as friends who both went “routinely” to the dog park, but their friendship turned sour when Radford discovered Lay was gay.
Sabrena Hughes, Lay’s sister, told FOX 13 that the shooting “followed two years of harassment and homophobic slurs directed at her brother by Radford.”
In the weeks following the fatal shooting, “detectives worked diligently, searching for video related to this incident, speaking with those who know the men involved and analyzing all evidence. HCSO then met with the State Attorney’s Office to present them with the totality of what the investigation uncovered and discuss potential charges,” the release says.
“The State Attorney’s Office has approved charging Radford with Second Degree Murder with an enhancement for a hate crime,” it says.
“After analyzing the evidence, it was evident that this man acted from hatred within his heart,” said Chronister, in the release. “A hatred that will not be tolerated within our strong and diverse community. Thank you to State Attorney Suzy Lopez for allowing our detectives the time needed to conduct a thorough investigation. We hope the arrest brings some peace to the family of a man taken from us too soon.”
