The man who shot and killed 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton in a Circle A parking lot will not be charged because of Florida’s “stand your ground” law. This announcement sparked a protest on Sunday in the parking lot where the incident took place.
According to USA Today, it all started when Markeis McGlockton’s girlfriend drove into a handicapped parking spot while he walked into the Circle A store.
Michael Drejka was frustrated when he saw McGlockton’s girlfriend illegally parked in the handicapped spot. Mr. Drejka had previously complained about people parking illegally in handicapped spots, reports the NY Times. Drejka and the girlfriend started yelling at each other after he complained to her about parking there, according to deputies.
In surveillance video you can see Mr. McGlockton walk outside and shove Mr. Drejka, causing him to fall to the ground. Mr. McGlockton then backed away from Mr. Drejka. While on the ground Drejka took out a gun and shot McGlockton in the chest. Sheriff Gualtieri said this brief retreat gave him “pause,” but Mr. Drejka told the authorities that he was in fear that he was going to be struck again, reports the NY Times.
McGlockton’s girlfriend and their 5-year-old son witnessed the shooting.
Drejka is being cooperative with law enforcement and told them he was fearful for his life, reports USA Today,
“After being slammed to the ground, he felt he was going to be further attacked,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said.
Protesters say they feel very strongly that this shouldn’t have fallen under “Stand Your Ground” because of how it all happened.
More than 20 states have “stand your ground” laws which allow a person to use deadly force if they think they’re about to face, “imminent death or great bodily harm.” The law has been criticized by parents of Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin.
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