A dispute over a parking space at a Florida Walmart ended in the fatal shooting of a retired Army veteran, sparking emotional distress for his daughter, who had recently reconnected with him after years of estrangement. Bart Diguglielmo, 62, a retired staff sergeant with the U.S. Army, died Tuesday afternoon after being shot by a woman in the store's parking lot in North Lauderdale.
The daughter, Amanda, told Local 10 News that her father was a good man and that no one deserved to lose their life over a parking spot. "I just don't think anybody deserved to lose their life over a parking spot," she said, visibly upset. She acknowledged that her father was not perfect and that they had only recently repaired their relationship after being estranged for many years.
Amanda Diguglielmo disputed claims that her father may have made advances toward the shooter, stating, "my dad is not that person." She expressed a desire for him to be remembered for who he was, not as he might be portrayed. "He's not perfect, but not someone that would do this to this extreme," she added.
Video footage of the incident shows Diguglielmo arguing with an unidentified woman. The confrontation escalated when the woman produced a firearm and shot him. Witnesses reported that the shooter continued to yell at Diguglielmo as he lay on the ground wounded. He was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The shooter remained at the scene and was detained for questioning. Authorities confirmed she is cooperating with the investigation and maintaining that she fired in self-defense. Investigators are currently reviewing the circumstances to determine whether charges will be filed.