A dispute over a parking space at a Florida Walmart ended in the fatal shooting of a retired Army Staff Sergeant, Bart Diguglielmo, on Tuesday. The Broward Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident occurred just before 12:30 p.m. in North Lauderdale.
Diguglielmo, 62, was engaged in a verbal altercation with an unidentified woman over a parking spot when she allegedly shot him. The woman claimed she acted in self-defense, according to police.
Witnesses described the woman as distraught following the incident. Video footage circulating on social media captured a portion of the argument between Diguglielmo, wearing a gray shirt, and the woman, who was in a white shirt and holding a gun. The video shows the two pointing at each other and Diguglielmo raising his arms in an empty parking space before he was shot. Diguglielmo was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Diguglielmo, a native of Hammonton, New Jersey, was a decorated veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm. His sister described him as a combat nurse, combat medic, and tactical communications expert, and stated that he was a retired nurse who would not hurt anyone. He resided in Lauderhill, Florida.
Authorities have not released the name of the woman involved. The Broward County State Attorney’s Office will review the police investigation to determine if charges will be filed.