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George Michael ZimmermanAmerican volunteer patrolman who killed black teenager Trayvon Martin
Date of Birth: 05.10.1983
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Biography of George Michael Zimmerman
George Michael Zimmerman, an American public patrol volunteer, gained notoriety on February 26, 2012, when he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, an African American teenager. Zimmerman was born on October 5, 1983, in Manassas, Virginia. He was the third of four children in his family. His father, Robert Zimmerman, served in the US Army for 22 years, including during the Vietnam War, and later worked at the Pentagon. His mother, Gladys Zimmerman, was a deputy court clerk and a former physical education teacher in Peru.
Zimmerman grew up in a religious household and attended a Catholic school until the eighth grade. He also served as an altar boy at the All Saints Catholic Church, where his parents were parishioners. Afterward, he attended Osbourn High School in Virginia and graduated in 2001. In the early 2000s, Zimmerman had several encounters with the police, including being a victim of assault in 2001 and resisting arrest in 2005. However, he avoided criminal charges through a diversion program.
In 2007, Zimmerman married Shellie Nicole Dean, a cosmetologist. The couple moved to the Retreat at Twin Lakes, a gated community in Sanford, Florida, known for its diverse population and high crime rate. Zimmerman became involved in the community as an organizer of the neighborhood watch program. He also studied criminal justice at Seminole State College and completed a 14-week course at a police academy, although he did not become a sworn officer.
On the evening of February 26, 2012, Zimmerman, while on patrol, called 911 to report a "suspicious person." Despite being advised not to pursue the person, Zimmerman continued to follow Trayvon Martin. A physical altercation ensued, during which Zimmerman shot Martin, claiming self-defense. Zimmerman was initially released by the police, but public outcry and protests led to him being charged with second-degree murder.
Zimmerman's case received widespread media attention and divided public opinion. He faced threats and was forced into hiding. In April 2012, Zimmerman was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He was released on bail but was later returned to custody after evidence of his misleading the court about his financial situation and possession of two passports came to light. Zimmerman's trial began in June 2013 and ended with his acquittal in July of the same year.
Zimmerman's case ignited a national debate about racial profiling and self-defense laws. It also raised questions about the use of deadly force and the role of community watch programs. Zimmerman's life and actions continue to be a subject of controversy and discussion in the United States.