Reports: George Zimmerman involved in shooting in Lake Mary

[trumad]

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Lake Mary police are at the scene of a shooting near Trailhead Park where at least one person has been hit, officials said.

There are reports that George Zimmerman is possibly involved. However, police have not confirmed.

This is an on-going story. Additional details will be added when they're released.

Read more: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/trayvon-martin-george-zimmerman/os-george-zimmerman-shooting-report-20150511-story.html

[bemildred]

1. Gee, who could have predicted this. nt

[chernabog]

2. Local News Story

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/george-zimmerman-shot-lake-mary/nmDZj/

saying he was shot in the face but it's a minor injury

[cui bono]

21. Oh, , maybe Zimmerman is friends with Cheney.

[DamnYankeeInHouston]

86. I wish they'd go on a hunting trip together.

[brooklynite]

3. Actually - it was the other way around...

LAKE MARY, Fla. — Channel 9 has learned that George Zimmerman was involved in a shooting incident Monday in Seminole County on Lake Mary Boulevard.

Authorities said Zimmerman was shot in the face during a confrontation with a driver. They said the injury appears to be minor.

http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local/george-zimmerman-shot-lake-mary/nmDZj/

[onehandle]

4. Time to start taking up a collection for George again, gun fans. nt

[uppityperson]

5. he was shot, per another link

http://kdvr.com/2015/05/11/george-zimmerman-shot-injured-in-shooting-incident-in-florida/
http://www.wesh.com/news/george-zimmerman-involved-in-shooting-in-lake-mary-police-say/32943828

[George II]

13. I guess the questions are: Who pulled out a gun first, and who shot first?

[MillennialDem]

28. Han

[ManiacJoe]

32. This!

[BrotherIvan]

33. Heh

[IDemo]

6. A shrouded local figure known only as "Karma" is suspected...

[nolabear]

7. I hear she's a bitch.

[hedda_foil]

8. I'm sure Georgie will change his ways now that he's been on the receiving end of a bullet.

[font size="7"] [center]NOT![/font][/center]

[47of74]

9. Shot in the face?

Did the shooter look like this?

[corkhead]

15. Maybe this time Zimmy will apologize

[workinclasszero]

10. Did Zimmerman get his second kill in?

You know its just a matter of time before this NRA hero kills again.

[EL34x4]

36. I think Zimmerman's days are numbered...

For reasons that have nothing to do with Trayvon Martin.

He's a hothead who can't stay out of trouble and doesn't have the common sense to leave Florida. One of these days he's going to piss off the wrong person and that'll be the last of George Zimmerman.

[workinclasszero]

11. ALERT! Calling Bernie Sanders!!

The NRA needs your help again!!

Looks like 2nd amendment hero George Zimmerman just stepped in it again!

[Gregorian]

14. Weak

[frylock]

16. duh-herrrrrr!!12

[workinclasszero]

18. Bernie Sanders, Gun Nut

Bernie Sanders, Gun Nut

He supported the most reprehensible pro-gun legislation in recent memory.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2015/05/bernie_sanders_on_guns_vermont_independent_voted_against_gun_control_for.html


Sorry Bernie's a radical gun nut

[frylock]

26. herpa-derp!!1

[arcane1]

30. The lies are starting early!

Pathetic

[savalez]

37. Is Slate.com not a reliable news source?

I never visit that site so I don't know.

[arcane1]

38. Slate isn't the only one calling Sanders a "gun nut"

That smear died a week ago but some idiots didn't figure it out yet

[Agschmid]

64. Slate is fine source...

But Bernie IS NOT a gun nut.

[Gregorian]

31. Concern duly noted.

[Eleanors38]

41. Tagging Bernie with "gun nut" is a dog what won't hunt. Been tried. nt

[Omaha Steve]

47. Not every D or I is pro gun control

IF that is YOUR only issue, your just the flip side of the NRA crowd.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

58. Exactly!

[vive la commune]

87. +100

[corkhead]

51. Single issue voters are dumbasses

Not saying your are one necessarily.

[workinclasszero]

70. Oh like all the TTP threads?

Whatever you say friend.

[corkhead]

76. Get back with me when you have a coherent response.

[jtuck004]

61. I agree with Bernie. "A Slate Hit Piece Gives Me a Grudging Respect for Bolshevik Bernie"

Slate hit piece Here

...Nothing gives me a grudging respect for someone I usually hate than reading a poorly written hit piece which is directed against them. I don't know why this is, but suspect that part of the reason is that I've always felt that a man with the right enemies can't be all bad.

This axiom apparently applies even to Bernie Sanders who, based on this ridiculous hit piece at Slate.com, appears to actually have his head in the right place in at least one instance:
...
In this article, a Slate writer proves that he doesn't understand how tort law works. What is actually happening here is that Bernie Sanders voted for a tremendously important and intelligent bill which was meant to correct a problem - namely that anti-gun activists were abusing the court system by hurling law suits at gun companies whenever their guns were used in the commission of a crime. The problem with this should be obvious to anyone who understands the issues. You cannot sue someone for selling a legal item which works as advertised and is not defective merely because that item is used in a bad fashion.
...

He didn't support a stupid law that would have held people to a liability they had no hand in, and opposed opposed paying bank$ter/donors money while letting millions of working people fall into poverty. Seems like good sense to me, to work for laws that actually provide justice and accomplish something useful.

That's the one I would vote for.

[pocoloco]

85. LOL!!

Maybe he has a little better reading comprehension than you???

[RoccoR5955]

88. Yeah, that's why he got an F from the NRA!

Sure.
Slate comes up with some sludge every so often. They are owned by Amazon. Amazon will see their gun sales drop if Sanders is elected, that's why they had their folks write this.

[BrotherIvan]

34. I am 100% pro gun control

And if you think this bullshit is going to convince anyone of, well, anything, you should tell us what color the sky is on your planet.

[Enthusiast]

45. They got the zero part right.

[L0oniX]

40. Ah ...another Hillary Iraq war vote supporter.

[MissDeeds]

42. Pathetic

[Jamastiene]

77. I know I did. n/t

[marym625]

67. I think you forgot your sarcasm thing

Especially since the NRA rated Sanders, in their lifetime rating, as a zero. Unlike actual gun nuts who received over 90%

https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1034/rating/1299

[TM99]

72. You do realize that even Clinton

would not stoop as low as you just did.

She would be ashamed you are a supporter.

Attempting in any way to link George Zimmerman to Bernia Sanders is scraping the bottom of the fucking barrel.

Bravo.

[NYC_SKP]

90. What pray tell woul Hillary do about this moron?

[sabrina 1]

91. Really scared of a Bernie victory, are you? You should be, the more people get to know

him, and the more they see this kind of nonsense, the more support he is getting. This is going to be one exciting campaign, we Dems actually have a candidate we can vote FOR.

Keep up the good work, this kind of comment shows a sense of desperation which is good for Bernie.

[C Moon]

92. Wow. This sounds like a rightwing comment on Yahoo News. Pretty sad.

[George II]

12. Press conference scheduled for 3 PM

[murielm99]

17. For real? n/t

[George II]

56. That's what I heard about 2:30, police would hold it, but I never saw anyone cover it.

[Blue_Tires]

19. Time for the gunners to donate another million dollars to his defense...

Been an expensive couple of years for that bunch...

[gvstn]

20. TMZ is reporting he was not hit by bullet but shattered glass.

He will skate again. They are blaming it on the other driver.

[Amishman]

22. i wonder if someone recognized him and tried to carry out vigilante justice. EOM

[gvstn]

24. I think zimmerman is saying

That he recognized the guy from an earlier confrontation and the guy pulled up along his car and shot at the driver side window.

http://www.tmz.com/2015/05/11/george-zimmerman-shot-gun-florida-road-rage/#disqus_thread

Zimmerman's lawyer, Don West, tells TMZ Zimmerman told him he believes he recognized the other driver as someone with whom he had a run in several months ago.

The lawyer says Zimmerman told him the other driver drove along side his client and fired into the driver's side window.

The lawyer says Zimmerman was not struck by a bullet, but rather shattering glass.

[murielm99]

23. If he hadn't murdered an unarmed teenager,

he would be just another local troublemaker, in and out of the cop shop for minor offenses. If he appeared on DU at all, it would be as Florida Man.

[hamsterjill]

25. You know, on top of everything else, he's simply got to be a stupid SOB.

I mean, he lucked out by getting off when he killed Travon Martin.

You would think he'd have been smart enough to simply lay low and stay out of the public eye and consider that he's free to walk around rather than stuck in a jail cell.

He hasn't been able to do that. He's either a psychopath or else he's one stupid SOB. Probably both.

[3catwoman3]

29. But it was all part of god's plan...

...dontcha know. He probably feels the allmighty is watching over him.

[darkangel218]

52. +1

[Omaha Steve]

27. TWO dupes in LBN

Everybody wants to post this one.

[Rhiannon12866]

44. Why do you think I came here as soon as I heard the news??

[BrotherIvan]

35. Am I going to hell because I'm sad it wasn't fatal?

Mebbe.

[Daniel537]

46. Don't know, but if so, i'll join you there. n/t

[surrealAmerican]

68. I'm really glad it wasn't.

The last thing I'd want is for him to be regarded as some sort of right-wing martyr.

[Jamastiene]

79. Will you save me a seat when you get there? n/t

[L0oniX]

39. Will someone please kick that worthless fuck out of this country or send him to prison.

[Travelman]

53. For getting shot at by a deranged kook?

Seems rather harsh.

[tazkcmo]

55. Deranged kook

So, Zimmy shot at himself?

[L0oniX]

74. They both had a history. Obviously the shooter felt threatened by Zimmy ...as would anyone.

[George II]

75. The other guy said Zimmerman waved a gun at him.

[Travelman]

89. I saw that in a few places.

The problem is that I'm having a hard time buying that this guy Apperson saw Zimmerman waving a gun at him in a moving car through limo tint.

[ecstatic]

93. What are the odds? Last year, Apperson told authorities

that GZ was stalking and harassing him (GZ showed up at Apperson's job after a road rage incident). Fast forward to yesterday, GZ supposedly comes to town for mothers day and happens to run into Apperson again? Really? He's clearly stalking Apperson--unless the town is comprised of 2 people. Apperson was likely scared for his life, although the whole thing just makes me think even less of Florida. Apparently road rage / shootouts are OK (even though I'm not mad at all about who the target was, lol).

[Travelman]

95. Maybe.

I'm still kinda skeptical about this. According to the police report from the "second incident" (for lack of a better description), police verified that Zimmerman did indeed have a valid doctor's appointment at the location, and from what I can find, there was no actual evidence of the first "road rage incident" ever happening in the first place. From what I can tell, it's "he said, he said" at best, and Apperson elected not to pursue the case. And then he continued to not pursue the case after the "second incident." Makes me wonder, at the bare minimum, about the credibility of Apperson.

I'm not about to run out and defend Zimmerman as some sort of hero or victim or something like that. Dude has problems. There's no doubt about that.

But in THIS case, I'm having a hard time believing Apperson's version of events. I'm not seeing (literally, in this case) how he could have seen Zimmerman pointing a gun at him, from the left lane of a two-lane major divided thoroughfare, in a moving car, with very dark-tinted windows, when Apperson could have easily just turned right at the previous light and evaded Zimmerman entirely. His only choice was to try for a head shot from a much lower-riding vehicle, while in motion, in traffic, through a window, and missed a head shot from less than ten feet away?

Apperson's story is straining credulity at the very best. Particularly given his behavior today outside the police station.




I think what we have here is a case of "when a crazy meets a crazy comin' through the rye." And it's looking to me like Apperson is slightly more crazy here, at least based upon the evidence that I'm presently seeing. Emphasis on evidence.

[cannabis_flower]

98. Unless of course

Zimmerman rolled his window down.

[Travelman]

102. The window was rolled up when the shot was taken

I suppose it's possible that he rolled his window down, waved a gun around, and then rolled it back up again, but if that's the case, then the immediate threat necessitating lethal force self defense disappears for Apperson.

[Hoyt]

82. Give him a job in China.

[Rhiannon12866]

43. Press conference on MSNBC live now...

[FM451]

48. Zim 'waved his gun', didn't get a shot off (link to article)

From the New York Daily News:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/george-zimmerman-involved-florida-shooting-reports-article-1.2218015

From this story, Zimmerman was armed, waved (brandished) his pistol, other individual puts a bullet through Zimmerman's windshield. First article I've seen that states that Zimmerman had his gun out.

His life appears to have become one long bad action film. Maybe He should be in the next Fast & Furious flim!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

50. This is all so deliciously ironic. nt

[KansDem]

59. "His life appears to have become one long bad action film"

How about...?

[center]ZIMMER MAN
The Movie

[/center]

Or maybe a love story?

[FM451]

99. Zim the Action Star!

Love your post, KansDem!

[Fantastic Anarchist]

60. So, the other guy stood his ground.

I'll have another helping of that irony. Tastes delicious.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

49. Other driver's name is Matthew Apperson.

I did see one Matt Apperson listed in Orlando on Facebook, but I have no idea if that's the one so I won't post the link. He did "like" the NRA and Ruger, so it would be interesting, perhaps karmatic, if George had a run in with a fellow gun-nut.

[LisaL]

54. The same name as the guy who made claims against Zimmeran in 2014.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/13/george-zimmerman-road-rage_n_5815120.html

[Tommy_Carcetti]

57. Dollars to donuts George couldn't let the road rage incident go and stalked the guy.

Unbelievable.

[darkangel218]

62. It appears Zimmy has been following this guy around for a while

Jebus Christ, what a lunatic. If that is the case, we might see possible charges brought against Zimmy.

[Judi Lynn]

63. Latest Zimmerman dust-up linked to prior road rage incident

Latest Zimmerman dust-up linked to prior road rage incident

By KYLE HIGHTOWER and MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press | May 11, 2015 | Updated: May 11, 2015 3:59pm

LAKE MARY, Fla. (AP) — The man who called 911 to report he was involved in a shooting with George Zimmerman appears to be the same person involved in a road rage incident with the former neighborhood watch volunteer last year.

Lake Mary Police Officer Bianca Gillett said during a news conference Monday that Matthew Apperson called 911 to report the shooting. She said Zimmerman was not the shooter and investigators hadn't determined yet if any charges will be filed. Both Zimmerman and Apperson have yet to be interviewed formally by investigators, she said.

. . .

A woman who answered the phone at the disability-benefits business where Apperson works asked a reporter never to call again. Nobody answered the door at his Winter Springs condominium, where there is a "for sale" out front and a lock box on the door.

Last September, Apperson said Zimmerman threatened to kill him, asking "Do you know who I am?" during a confrontation in their vehicles. Apperson decided not to pursue charges, and police officers were unable to move forward without a car tag identified or witnesses.

More:
http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Police-George-Zimmerman-involved-in-shooting-in-6255942.php

[Binkie The Clown]

66. The courts gave him a license to kill. What did they expect? n/t

[Judi Lynn]

69. They sure did, and left the door open for all other slimy, violent racists, too. n/t

[Larry Engels]

71. This guy is boring the s**t out of me. Time to put him in prison.

That is my entire argument for the prosecution. Just do it.

[George II]

73. According to CNN, the person who shot him said that Zimmerman waved a gun at him from his car...

....

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/11/us/florida-george-zimmerman-shooting/index.html

[randys1]

78. It's not this asshole I care about in the big picture.

It is that no matter the facts, no matter the circumstances, Trayvon Martin needed killing according to MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of white Americans.

[LiberalElite]

80. Just give it up - you're wasting your time. nt

[kwassa]

81. It sounds like one gun nut met another gun nut on the highway.

Shots ensued.

Apperson is a member of the NRA, according to the article I read.

[ecstatic]

94. exactly! nt

[jmowreader]

83. Zimmerman REALLY needs to move to a less gun-friendly state

With the law as it now stands in Florida, it's completely legal to shoot George Zimmerman on sight. With his track record of impulsive and violent behavior, it'd be hard to find a jury who wouldn't agree he was threatening you.

[Frank Cannon]

96. Just seeing him approaching you would be cause to throw down.

The man is a well-publicized violent menace to society.

[Blue_Tires]

101. Nope, I think he should stay right where he is...

Until someone else finally decides to stand their ground...

[PersonNumber503602]

84. That man is toxic.

Most people go through life without shooting someone or being shot at, yet he seems to constantly have something going on. Everyone should give a wide berth around him.

[Sancho]

97. Florida is the new wild west...none of these clowns should have a gun.

People Control, Not Gun Control

This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70’s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that weren’t secured are out of control in our society. As such, here’s what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. I’m not debating the legal language, I just think it’s the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because it’s clear that they should never have had a gun.

1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learner’s license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.

Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a driver’s license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.

[yellowcanine]

100. Little different when the other guy shoots back, eh, Zimmy?

Not such a tough guy then.

[napkinz]

103. a menace ...

[Sufferit]

104. New info on Apperson

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3079058/Man-fired-George-Zimmerman-road-rage-row-reported-police-neighbor-squirrel-shot-yard-probed-threatening-trespasser-Magnum.html

[gopiscrap]

105. Welcome to DU