Trayvon Martin: A Sad Tale

Unfortunately, we will probably never know the complete truth regarding the murder of Trayvon Martin because the Sanford Police allowed the gunman, George Zimmerman, to leave the scene of the killing because he claimed in acted in self-defense.  It is unimaginable how much evidence probably disappeared that night.  At a minimum, you would think the police would escort Zimmerman to the station to question him, after all, he just murdered an unarmed teenager.  Moreover, you would think you would want to collect evidence, just in case his story does not checkout, like checking for gun powder residue and shot angles.  Lastly, I would think it important to check his vitals, i.e. would he under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.  I am not cop, but I think police should at least do basic investigating, especially when there is an unarmed dead body on the street.

As I understand from from various news sources, Trayvon Martin, a 17 year old black male, was walking from a convenience store to his father's house in Sanford, Florida on or about February 26, 2012.  As he walked home on this rainy night, he wore a hoodie and carried a cellphone, an ice team, and some Skittles.  Zimmerman, a 28 year old Latino male and "neighborhood watch" member notice Martin walking in the neighborhood.  Zimmerman believed Martin was acting suspicious so he called 9-1-1.  The police dispatcher explicitly told Zimmerman not to follow the teenager, but Zimmerman followed Martin anyway.

A confrontation occurred between the two males; however, it is unclear who instigated the dispute.  More importantly, it is unclear what part, if any, did Martin play in the altercation.  Either way, Zimmerman shot and killed the unarmed Martin.  In the weeks following, Martin's family called the incident a murder while Zimmerman claimed he acted in self-defense.  Zimmerman  has not been arrested or charged with a crime.

The Martin case although tragic, has sparked a debate about the negative stereotypes surrounding black males.  Many see African-American males walking and automatically equate them with suspicious activity.  Additionally, Martin's murder highlights the tragedy of black males - you are more likely to be gunned down than graduate college.  While some have used this sad story to reexamine gun laws, stand your own ground laws, and the plight facing African-American males.  Others have used this unnecessary death to race bait, to trivialize the death on wearing a hoodie, and recently, people are trying to marginalize Martin as a person.

Unfortunately, we will never know the whole truth because a 17 year old boy lay dead in a pool of his own blood.