March 20th, 2012
02:22 AM ET

Justice Department, FBI to probe Florida teen's death

Federal prosecutors and the FBI have opened an investigation into the killing of an unarmed teen by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida.

The death drew protesters Monday to the courthouse in Seminole County, north of Orlando, to demand justice for Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old who was shot and killed last month while walking back to his father's fiancee's house in Sanford.

The African-American teen's parents said Monday that they believed race was a factor in their son's death, and the Congressional Black Caucus had called for a federal investigation, saying local police have shown "blatant disregard for justice."

Late Monday, the Justice Department said it would dispatch officials to Sanford to investigate and "to address tension in the community."

"The department will conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence and take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation," Justice Department spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said in a written statement. "The department also is providing assistance to and cooperating with the state officials in their investigation into the incident."

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soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. Natasha

    Why are we just now hearing of this case!? This happened a month ago & this low life zimmerman still hasn't been charged! Why wasn't he given a toxicology test when 911 records show he sounded intoxicated! How is the justce system even entertaining self defence when Trayvon, a young teenager, had no weapon! I will help in anyway I can to bring justice for Trayvon! Beacause if you allow the justce to they will screw everything up! As they already have!

    March 20, 2012 at 5:53 am | Report abuse |
  2. High Hopes

    I agree. When I first read this story, I thought it would be straightened out and over with.

    Its not that hard to figure out which one was the aggressor and which one was acting in self defense... who was firing the gun and.who was begging for help!

    They need to ban all these neighborhood watch associations if they include vigilantism in the form of idiots armed with 9mm guns and itchy fingers who can't obey police orders and remain in their car until the police arrive.

    Thoughts and prayers ro Trayvons family...
    Hope

    March 20, 2012 at 8:01 am | Report abuse |
    • Pandi

      I heard about this when it first came out. It is the inability of the police to actually do their jobs that brought this into the national spotlight, and rightfully so.
      I cannot imagine the pain this young man's family is going through.
      Prayers to his family.

      March 20, 2012 at 8:07 am | Report abuse |
  3. sgt. slaughter

    Maybe black males should stop robbing houses in that neighborhood. They will probably stop now....or just move to another neighborhood until someone gets shot.

    March 20, 2012 at 10:25 am | Report abuse |
  4. Cesar The Chorizo Chimp Of Chihuahua

    Zimmerman (not Robert), is just some beefed bald guy who think he has to flex on everybody and pretend to be a gangsta. How did he get that last name when he's obviously a mexican?

    March 20, 2012 at 11:08 am | Report abuse |
    • Pandi

      Basic biology...maybe from Mommy?

      March 20, 2012 at 11:13 am | Report abuse |
    • Rachel

      Well that's incredibly racist. You think Zimmerman is a specific kind of last name that only certain people have? Why? And why wouldn't he be allowed to have such a last name if he is indeed Mexican or of any Latino/Hispanic descent?

      March 20, 2012 at 11:57 am | Report abuse |
    • Janica B

      Ceasar, are you talking about Andrew Zimmerman?

      March 20, 2012 at 12:01 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Greek American

    Another paranoid gun toting hick wannabe cop. Give this guy the death penalty. My sympathies go out to the suffering families. Hopefully a Florida jury will get it right this time.

    March 20, 2012 at 11:28 am | Report abuse |
  6. Mary

    What ever the reason for this shouting, Justice should be served with speed.

    March 20, 2012 at 12:24 pm | Report abuse |
  7. red1

    Living in a country where bullies get huge dividends after tax payers bail them out. Politicians have to be wealthy. ONLY watching out for the wealthy. . Oh and the earth has turned into a toilet for those who see it as such. Hmmm..I'm going to quess they let Zimmerman walk. Wild and crazy world.

    March 20, 2012 at 10:55 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Greek American

    The only probing needed in this case is going to be done by Zimmerman's prison mates.

    March 20, 2012 at 11:13 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Name*Claudia

    Sgt. says, "...maybe now Blacks will stop robbing...". By the same logic: Kill a few White teens to prevent murders in high schools. Ignorance must feel really good.

    March 21, 2012 at 12:10 am | Report abuse |
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