The FBI investigates the killing of Trayvon Martin a 17 year
old Black male high school student who was shot by a self-appointed neighborhood
watchman George Zimmerman.
Feb 26 Trayvon Martin was visiting his father in a gated
community in Florida. He left his father house to walk to the local 7-eleven
where he purchased skittles and iced tea.
The neighborhood watchman Zimmerman who was patrolling noticed Martin on
his return to his father house. Zimmerman became suspicious of the boy which he
then called a non-emergency dispatch number. He told the dispatcher he seen a “real
suspicious guy” who looks like he’s up to no good or he’s on drugs or
something. The dispatcher told Zimmerman that he did not need to follow to
Martin because the teen was not doing anything wrong. Despite the dispatcher warnings Zimmerman
continued to follow Martin. Martin began to run Zimmerman chased him and the
two ended up in altercation that led to Martin dead and Zimmerman standing over
his body. When the police arrived to the scene Zimmerman was not arrested
because he claimed it was an act of self-defense. When the police questioned witnesses of the
incident one lady said she heard Martin screaming for help but the police
corrected her and said it was Zimmerman calling out for help. Zimmerman has not
yet been charged for the death of Martin.
This senseless killing is disturbing and upsets me on so many levels. The hate
crime, negligence of the police on duty and also a crazy man permitted to carry
a gun.
First off how could the police let a man with a gun walk
away from a scene where someone was shot to death without holding him and doing
a proper procedure? Zimmerman has a previous charge for assaulting a police
officer that was dropped. In eight weeks prior to this incident Zimmerman made
nearly 50 calls to the police. The police failed to test Zimmerman for drug or alcohol
intoxication. It was later reported that in the 911 tape Zimmerman sounded as
if he was intoxicated. The police
officers on duty for that incident should have their badges taken away.
I know if it was a white boy who had been shot and killed, I
am positive it would be a different story; Zimmerman would be in jail with no
bail. I say this is a hate crime because Zimmerman clearly targeted the boy for
being black. Zimmerman is Hispanic but identifies himself as White. Residents from the gated community have
reported that Zimmerman would sometimes walk door to door warning residents about
black people.
Zimmerman has psychological issues. He claimed the title as
captain of the neighborhood watchers in his gated community. He took his title
very seriously, at night he would walk his dog and patrol the neighborhood
always carrying his gun. He made nearly 50 calls to the police in eight weeks.
Zimmerman is not registered a member of the National Neighborhood Watch
Program; which means he had no official title. Regardless of an official title
Zimmerman violated principles of the Neighborhood Watch Manual which states
that "It should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police
powers, and they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles. They should also
be cautioned to alert police or deputies when encountering strange activity.
Members should never confront suspicious persons who could be armed and
dangerous." It is also reported that in Zimmerman’s past he at one time
wanted to be a law enforcement official, attending the University of Central
Florida while studying criminal justice. Zimmerman is a crime seeker who is looking to
play a Hero. He is possibly a drug user or an alcoholic which we wouldn’t know
for sure because the police failed to do their job.
I hope that justice is served; Zimmerman should be charged
with manslaughter.
