M I M I I
Vice President
By Sky News US Team
The man accused of firing a shot at George Zimmerman has been charged with attempted murder.
Matthew Apperson, 36, allegedly opened fire at Mr Zimmerman in May after pulling up alongside his pickup truck on a busy street in suburban Orlando.
He initially faced a count of aggravated assault and battery, but the charge was upgraded on Thursday to attempted second-degree murder, State Attorney Phil Archer said.
Matthew Apperson. Pic: Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Matthew Apperson claimed Mr Zimmerman pointed a gun at him
Prosecutors contend that Apperson has a "fixation" with Mr Zimmerman, who was acquitted of killing of black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2013.
The shooting incident between Apperson and Mr Zimmerman was not their first encounter, police said.
Last September, Apperson alleged that Mr Zimmerman had threatened him, but declined to pursue charges and police could not find any witnesses.
Two days later, Apperson called police to report that Mr Zimmerman's truck was parked near the office where he worked.
Mr Zimmerman told officers that he had an appointment in the same office park, and no charges were filed.
In their latest encounter, Mr Zimmerman told police he was driving when Apperson got behind his truck and yelled: "You remember me you fat m***********?"
According to Mr Zimmerman, Apperson then yelled: "You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself."
Mr Zimmerman suffered minor injuries from flying glass after the bullet flew through the window of his truck.
The former watch volunteer has had several brushes with the law since his controversial 2013 acquittal.
The case sparked protests and a national debate about race.
The man accused of firing a shot at George Zimmerman has been charged with attempted murder.
Matthew Apperson, 36, allegedly opened fire at Mr Zimmerman in May after pulling up alongside his pickup truck on a busy street in suburban Orlando.
He initially faced a count of aggravated assault and battery, but the charge was upgraded on Thursday to attempted second-degree murder, State Attorney Phil Archer said.
Matthew Apperson. Pic: Seminole County Sheriff's Office
Matthew Apperson claimed Mr Zimmerman pointed a gun at him
Prosecutors contend that Apperson has a "fixation" with Mr Zimmerman, who was acquitted of killing of black teenager Trayvon Martin in 2013.
The shooting incident between Apperson and Mr Zimmerman was not their first encounter, police said.
Last September, Apperson alleged that Mr Zimmerman had threatened him, but declined to pursue charges and police could not find any witnesses.
Two days later, Apperson called police to report that Mr Zimmerman's truck was parked near the office where he worked.
Mr Zimmerman told officers that he had an appointment in the same office park, and no charges were filed.
In their latest encounter, Mr Zimmerman told police he was driving when Apperson got behind his truck and yelled: "You remember me you fat m***********?"
According to Mr Zimmerman, Apperson then yelled: "You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself."
Mr Zimmerman suffered minor injuries from flying glass after the bullet flew through the window of his truck.
The former watch volunteer has had several brushes with the law since his controversial 2013 acquittal.
The case sparked protests and a national debate about race.