Tampa, Florida – A man in Tampa, Florida has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a gay man at a local dog park on Feb. 2. Prosecutors revealed that the victim was deliberately targeted because of his sexual orientation, according to the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office. Gerald Declan Radford, 65, of Tampa, was taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Walter Lay, 52. Lay had reportedly expressed concerns to friends about a man, referred to as “Dec,” who had been threatening him prior to the tragic incident.
The arrest of Radford came after a five-week investigation, during which evidence was gathered that contradicted Radford’s initial claim of acting in self-defense at the scene. Prosecutors have stated that they plan to pursue stricter sentencing under Florida’s hate crime laws in response to the targeted nature of the attack. The investigation into Lay’s death began when authorities responded to a call at the West Dog Park in Hillsborough County, where Lay was found with a gunshot wound and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Despite initial claims by Radford that the shooting occurred in self-defense during a “scuffle” with Lay, further evidence collected by investigators and community members painted a different picture. Members of the community reported instances of bigoted slurs and threats made by Radford towards Lay, shedding light on the underlying animosity that led to the fatal shooting. The case highlighted the complexities surrounding self-defense laws, particularly in instances involving LGBTQ individuals, as witnessed in previous high-profile cases like the Trayvon Martin shooting in 2012.
An examination of stand-your-ground laws, as highlighted by a study from the JAMA network in 2022, revealed a concerning increase in rates of homicide and firearm-related incidents associated with such legislation. The prosecutor’s office emphasized the importance of community involvement and video evidence in building a strong case against Radford, ultimately seeking justice for Lay and his loved ones. In response to the tragic event, State Attorney Suzy Lopez condemned the hatred that fueled the attack, emphasizing the need for a safe and inclusive community where individuals can enjoy public spaces without fear of violence.