TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A fatal shooting at a dog park may be the result of a longstanding feud between two men, according to the victim’s family and friends who say they want to know if it was a case of self-defense or murder.
Officials said it all started after an argument at the West Dog Park in the Egypt Lake-Leto area.
Albert Darlington said his friend, Walt Lay told him he felt threatened by another man at the park for almost a year.
Darlington said Lay would send him videos after the encounters, and that he heard the shooter threaten his friend.
“I’ve heard him say many times, I’d like to just punch him right in the face,” Darlington said.
Last Friday, deputies said that dispute ended with Lay being shot and killed. Darlington said the suspected shooter later sent him a text, saying “I had to defend myself.”
But Darlington wonders if there could be another reason.
“I think because he was gay,” Darlington said.
We reached out to the suspected shooter, but he told us he had no comment. We are not identifying him because he has not been charged with any crime.