Affidavit : Zimmerman had chances to avoid situation before shooting Martin

George Zimmerman had two opportunities to peacefully approach Trayvon Martin before he fatally shot him, according to an affidavit.

“The encounter between George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin was ultimately avoidable by Zimmerman, if Zimmerman had remained in his vehicle and awaited the arrival of law enforcement, or conversely if he had identified himself to Martin as a concerned citizen and initiated dialog in an effort to dispel each party’s concern,” investigator Chris Serino wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit.

The affidavit was filed two weeks after the shooting when Sanford Police was being heavily criticized for not arresting Zimmerman.

The March 13 affidavit recommended Zimmerman be charged with manslaughter. However, a special prosecutor assigned to take over the case moved the charge to second-degree murder.

The documents released Tuesday are part of the public pre-trial records filed in the criminal case.

Zimmerman has maintained his innocence, saying he shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense because he feared for his life.

The encounter happened in a gated community in Sanford, FL where Zimmerman lived and Martin was visiting his father.

Zimmerman called 911 and approached Trayvon because he deemed the teen suspicious.  He told the operator Martin was “up to no good” and “has his hand in his waist band.”

In the affidavit report released Tuesday, police say Zimmerman contradicted himself by saying that he was initially fearful of Martin but later got out of his vehicle and followed after the teen.

“His actions are inconsistent with those of a person who has stated he was in fear of another subject,” Serino wrote.