The killing of Trayvon Martin, a black, unarmed 17-year-old Miami Gardens resident who was shot Feb. 26 in his father’s gated community by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer is still very much in the news.

Zimmerman, whose mother is Hispanic and father is white, claimed self-defense and has still not been arrested, a decision that has prompted rallies across the nation, and that residents of Sanford, a city 20 miles north of Orlando, say has fractured this city of 54,000.

The Sanford City Council held a special meeting at the Civic Center yesterday at which Martin’s parents were expected to speak. Martin’s parents led an eight-block march to the Civic Centre.

“The events that have recently occurred here in the city of Sanford have certainly taken a toll on everyone,” acting police Chief Darren Scott said at a news conference. Scott was appointed to the position today by City Manager Norton Bonaparte after former Chief Bill Lee stepped aside last week.

The Orlando Sentinel, citing “authorities” whom it didn’t name, reported today that Martin attacked Zimmerman and slammed his head into the sidewalk. That matches the account that Zimmerman gave police and was corroborated by eyewitnesses, the newspaper reported.
Julison, the Martin family spokesman, said today that the teenager was in Sanford because he was suspended from school last month for having a baggie that contained marijuana residue in his book bag. The family believes the suspension had nothing to do with the killing, he said.

Scott today urged patience for residents who want a “quick and positive resolution in this tragic event.”