Hank Silverberg, wtop.com
MANASSAS, Va. – National outrage continues to grow over the shooting of the black teenager by a neighborhood watch captain in Sanford, Fla.
On the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday evening, Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson brought the issue to her colleagues.
“Policemen do your duty. Arrest the murderer today. Twenty five days is much too long.”
Wilson represents the 17th district of the state where Martin was killed. She says she plans to speak out on the killing until there is an arrest.
The shooter, George Zimmerman, graduated from Osbourn High School in Manassas, Va., in 2001.
Zimmerman claimed self-defense, but so far there’s no evidence the teenager was armed.
In Manassas, many locals expressed surprise at the connection, some concerned his history would give the town a bad stigma.
Osbourn’s 2001 yearbook lists Zimmerman’s only extra activity as a member of the Future Business Leader of America club, and in the book he is quoted as saying he would go to Florida to join his uncle’s business. A spokesman for the school district says no one currently at the school remembers him.
The Orlando Sentinel reports Zimmerman has a criminal history, including a 2005 domestic violence petition filed against him after an incident with police in a bar.
The parents of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin are planning to attend a march in his memory Wednesday night in New York City.
Tracy Martin tells The Associated Press he’s “honored” that a rally is being held for his son and he appreciates the outpouring of support.
The teen was wearing a hoodie at the time of the shooting. Wednesday’s event is called the “Million Hoodie March” and participants will all wear hooded sweatshirts.
Zimmerman has not been arrested or charged in the shooting.
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights probe into the incident.
WTOP’s Dave McConnell contributed to this report. Follow Dave, Hank and WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
