A Florida woman will not face criminal charges after fatally shooting a man during an escalating parking dispute outside a Walmart in North Lauderdale, prosecutors confirmed. The Broward County State Attorney’s Office determined that 38-year-old Melissa Payne is immune from prosecution under Florida’s Stand Your Ground statute.
The incident occurred when Payne and 62-year-old Bart DiGuglielmo both attempted to pull into the same parking space, leading to a brief stalemate. According to prosecutors, DiGuglielmo parked in a travel lane, entered the store briefly, and returned while making threats to damage Payne’s vehicle. Witnesses reported that DiGuglielmo then relocated his car before aggressively approaching Payne on foot while she was accompanied by her niece and an infant.
Investigative memos detail that Payne stepped out of her car holding a firearm and repeatedly warned DiGuglielmo to stay back. Multi-angle video, including cellphone and vehicle camera recordings, showed Payne backing away as DiGuglielmo continued to advance toward her. Payne discharged a single round, striking him in the abdomen. DiGuglielmo later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Payne remained at the scene, cooperated with authorities, and reported that DiGuglielmo had used racial slurs during the confrontation.
In issuing the declination memo, Homicide Trial Unit Division Chief Stephen Zaccor noted that Payne was lawfully present, legally possessed her firearm, and had no duty to retreat under state law. Prosecutors concluded that available video evidence substantiated Payne’s claim of reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm, rendering the state unable to overcome her immunity defense.
