Connect with us

Social Justice

Witness accounts offer new details on George Zimmerman’s actions after Trayvon Martin shooting

A closer look at the witness statements and audio testimony taken in the immediate aftermath Trayvon Martin’s death provides the first insight into George Zimmerman’s behavior after he shot the unarmed teen.

Unheard Voices Magazine logo

Published

on

SANFORD, Fla. — Newly reviewed witness statements and early audio interviews are offering additional insight into George Zimmerman’s behavior in the minutes after he fatally shot 17‑year‑old Trayvon Martin, according to reporting from ABC News.

Witness 13 Describes Zimmerman as “Calm” and Focused on Calling His Wife

A man identified as “witness 13” told investigators he approached Zimmerman shortly after the shooting and saw him bleeding from the back of the head and nose.

Zimmerman asked the man to call his wife.

“Let her know what’s happening, been involved in a shooting and will be held for questioning,” the witness told the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The witness said Zimmerman did not appear shocked.

“He looked like he just got his butt whipped … not like, ‘I can’t believe I just shot someone,’ but like, ‘Just tell my wife I just shot someone,’ like it was nothing,” he said.

Witness 5 Says Zimmerman Stood Over Martin’s Body

A woman identified as “witness 5” told investigators she stepped outside after hearing the struggle and saw Zimmerman standing over Martin’s body.

She said she asked what happened, and Zimmerman responded only, “Call the police.”

The woman said Zimmerman paced slowly as officers arrived and examined Martin. She watched police turn the teen over and begin CPR, though she believed Martin had already been dead for “five or 10 minutes.”

“I do honestly feel that he intended for this kid to die,” she told investigators. “If you’re in self defense, shoot him in the leg. He’s a 17‑year‑old, scrawny little kid. … I think the kid was running for help.”

See also  Republican debate in Florida

Timeline Leaves Investigators With Key Gap

Zimmerman is charged with second‑degree murder for the Feb. 26, 2012 killing of Martin.

Martin, who was visiting Sanford while suspended from his Miami school, was staying at the home of his father’s girlfriend.

At 7:11 p.m., Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, called 911 to report a “suspicious” teenager. The dispatcher instructed him not to follow Martin. Moments later, Zimmerman left his vehicle. The two encountered each other shortly afterward.

Zimmerman has claimed Martin attacked him and that he fired while pinned to the ground.

Investigators have focused on an 80‑second gap between Zimmerman ending his call at 7:15 p.m. and the first 911 calls from neighbors reporting screams and a struggle.

Witness 6 Reports Seeing a Struggle

A man identified as “witness 6” told investigators he saw a Black male in a dark hoodie on top of a white or Hispanic male who was yelling for help.

More details are available at ABC News.

Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved. Unheard Voices Magazine ®

Real stories. Real impact. Straight to your inbox. Join thousands others. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter today!

Want to tell your story, send a news tip or report a correction? Contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on Facebook, X, TikTok, Instagram, News Break

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.

Archives

Tags

unheard voices shop
unheard voices on google play unheard voices on itunes

Trending

Discover more from Unheard Voices Magazine®

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading