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On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager, was allegedly shot and killed by George Zimmerman, who some describe as Hispanic male, a shooting that Zimmerman described as self-defense.

Shooting

According to his family, during the halftime break in an NBA basketball game on TV, Trayvon left his father's girlfriend's home in a gated community in Sanford, Florida to go to a nearby convenience store to buy some candy. While returning, Trayvon was seen by neighborhood watch member George Zimmerman, who called 911, stating, "This guy looks like he is up to no good. He is on drugs or something." He further stated that he had his hand in his waistband and was walking around slowly in the rain looking at homes. The police dispatcher recommended that Zimmerman not take any action, and informed him that police were on the way. By the time the police arrived Martin was dead, with a gunshot wound in the chest. Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and the back of the head and had wet grass stains on his red jacket. Zimmerman claimed self-defense. One witness said he came upon the scene and saw Zimmerman on his back on the ground, which accords with statements by the police that he was covered in grass and blood. Another witness has said in a TV interview that "there was no punching, no hitting going on at the time, no wrestling", but police say that that witness gave an official account to them that agreed with Zimmerman's story. The only things in Trayvon's pockets were a package of Skittles for his little brother and a can of Arizona iced tea.

Zimmerman told police he had stepped out of his truck to check the name of the street he was on when Trayvon attacked him from behind as he walked back to his truck. He said he fired the semiautomatic handgun because he feared for his life.

Aftermath

Zimmerman, who was previously arrested for resisting arrest with violence and battery against a police officer, has not been charged with any crime. Recordings of a number of 911 calls made the night of the shooting were publicly released by the city of Sanford on March 17, 2012. Press reports indicate that the recordings include the sound of a single shot followed by a voice pleading or begging for help; a second shot is then heard, and immediately upon the second shot being heard, the voice stops. Zimmerman told police at the scene that he was the one crying out for help. Other witnesses have stated that Trayvon was the one calling for help, and that the police tried to "correct" them into changing their assertion.

Sanford police accepted Zimmerman's account at face value that night and Zimmerman was not tested for drugs or alcohol on the night of the shooting, even though it is standard procedure in most homicide investigations. Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee has said he does not have enough evidence to arrest Zimmerman. "In this case Mr. Zimmerman has made the statement of self-defense," Lee said. "Until we can establish probable cause to dispute that, we don't have the grounds to arrest him." "We are taking a beating over this," said Lee, who defends the investigation. "This is all very unsettling. I’m sure if George Zimmerman had the opportunity to relive Sunday, Feb. 26, he’d probably do things differently. I’m sure Trayvon would, too." Multiple police investigations are ongoing.

"The hysteria, the media circus, it's just crazy," Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee said. "It's the craziest damn thing I've ever seen. I know in my heart we did a good job."

The FBI and the Justice Department have opened investigations into the incident.

History of racial tension in the area

The police department of the city of Sanford has been in the news due to racial tensions before. The police chief in 2011, Brian Tooley, was forced from office after the son of a lieutenant was caught on camera beating up an unsuspecting homeless black man, but whom the department declined to prosecute. After the footage went viral on YouTube, the perpetrator (Justin Collison) was arrested.

In 2005, two parking lot security guards, one the son of a Sanford police department veteran and the other a volunteer for the department, shot a black teen, Travares McGill, in the back, killing him. They claimed self-defense, and the case was dismissed in court.

References

1. [http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/16/2698771/family-and-witnesses-remember.html Family and witnesses remember Trayvon Martin shooting. Miami Herald]
2. George Zimmerman's father: My son is Hispanic
3. "Trayvon Martin: 'We are gathered here today to demand justice' in teen's fatal shooting". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
4. "Fatal shooting of Florida teen turned over to state attorney". CNN. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
5. http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/11360266-418/911-tapes-in-trayvon-martin-shooting-released.html
6. http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/seminole_news/031612-911-calls-released-in-Sanford-shooting
7. "Orlando Watch Shooting Probe Reveals Questionable Police Conduct". ABC. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
8. U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and FDLE to probe Trayvon Martin killing
9. {{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/09/george-zimmerman-trayvon-martin_n_1335984.html
10. "Neighbourhood watch captain who shot unarmed black teen 'had history of aggressive tactics'- but won't face charges". globe. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
11. "City of Sanford". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
12. "Sanford 911 calls released in teen's shooting death". WFTV.com. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
13. Trayvon Martin Shooting Death Prompts Call for Justice Department Inquiry, By Lizette Alvarez, New York Times, 17 March 2012
14. "http://abcnews.go.com/US/neighborhood-watch-shooting-trayvon-martin-probe-reveals-questionable/story?id=15907136#.T2agc1GhBFI". {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
15. Trayvon Martin Family Seeks FBI Investigation of Killing by Neighborhood Watchman - ABC News
16. Shooter of Trayvon Martin a habitual caller to cops
17. FBI monitoring fatal Florida shooting case, as police criticized (Reuters)
19. ^ Lee, Trymaine (03/14/2012). "Trayvon Martin Case Salts Old Wounds And Racial Tension". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 17 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
20. Justin Collison: Cop's son agrees to pay homeless man's medical bills, By Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sentinel, 25 January, 2011
21. Cop's Son Turns Himself In After Shocking Video's Release, By Amanda Vanallen, ABC News, 3 January 2011
22. Fatal bullet hit teenager in back, records reveal, Orlando Sentinel, 29 January 2006

External links

• Blow, Charles (March 16, 2012). "The Curious Case of Trayvon Martin". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
• Robles, Frances (March 17, 2012). "Shooter of Trayvon Martin a habitual caller to 911". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2012-03-17.

• Homicide
• Deaths by firearm in Florida
• Gun politics in the United States
• 2012 in Florida
• Seminole County, Florida
• 2012 controversies