North Lauderdale, Florida – A dispute over a parking space at a Walmart ended with Melissa Payne shooting Bart DiGuglielmo on June 30, 2026, after he repeatedly approached her in the parking lot.

The confrontation was captured by multiple video recording devices. Payne was in a white Chevrolet Malibu with her niece, S.A., and the infant daughter of S.A. DiGuglielmo was alone in a white Kia SUV, and both vehicles initially attempted to park in the same space.

After the initial dispute, DiGuglielmo left his vehicle in a travel lane and entered Walmart. Payne managed to park. When he returned, witnesses reported hearing him threaten to damage her vehicle before he drove away.

DiGuglielmo later parked two aisles away and remained in his vehicle for about 90 seconds. He then walked toward Payne, who was seated in her car with the infant. Witnesses described him as visibly angry and shaking as he watched her.

Payne exited with a phone in her left hand and a firearm in her right. Witnesses reported that she repeatedly warned DiGuglielmo not to approach, but video showed him continuing toward her as she backed away between parked vehicles.

He eventually approached Payne’s vehicle with keys in his hand and motioned as if he intended to damage it before turning back toward her. Payne then fired once, striking him in the abdomen.

Payne placed the firearm on her vehicle and was briefly taken into custody. She later waived her Miranda rights and gave a statement consistent with the available video evidence.

DiGuglielmo was taken to Broward General Hospital, where he died. The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound and the manner of death homicide.

Florida’s Stand Your Ground law provides immunity from criminal prosecution when its requirements are met. The analysis states Payne was in a place she had a right to be and that the State could not overcome her claim that she reasonably feared great bodily harm by clear and convincing evidence.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download