Justice Dept. to Investigate Neighborhood Watch Shooting of Unarmed Black Teen

Neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman said he shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in self-defense, although a 911 operator told Zimmerman not to follow the teenager through a suburban Orlando, Fla., gated community.

Martin can be heard on another 911 recording screaming for help. (These calls can be heard on the BBC page linked below.)

The Justice Department has announced that it will investigate the February shooting.  —PZS

BBC:

The justice department said in a statement that it would “conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence” before taking “appropriate action”.

The FBI and a federal prosecutor in Florida will also assist in the investigation.

It has emerged that Mr Zimmerman, acting as a neighbourhood watch volunteer, had called police several times in the months before the shooting to report incidents.

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Martin Family Photo