Police find gun believed to be George Zimmerman’s after confrontation

Law enforcement officials recovered a handgun that is believed to be George Zimmerman’s after he was involved in a shooting Monday, the latest in a rash of incidents since he was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin.

On Monday, a confrontation took place in Lake Mary, Fla., between Zimmerman and Matthew Apperson, who reported the shooting to 911. Officials with the Lake Mary Police Department have said Zimmerman was not the shooter.

Law enforcement officials obtained a warrant for Apperson’s vehicle, from which they recovered a .40-caliber Glock 22 and a .357 revolver with one spent shell casing, authorities said. Both guns are Apperson’s.

A third handgun, a Glock, that police believe is Zimmerman’s was recovered from Zimmerman. Officers have yet to obtain a search warrant for Zimmerman’s vehicle.

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FOR THE RECORD

May 12, 4:00 p.m. An earlier version of this post stated that George Zimmerman’s gun was recovered from Matthew Apperson’s vehicle. It was recovered from Zimmerman.

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In September, Apperson had a confrontation with Zimmerman during what police said was a road rage incident. No charges were involved.

Investigators have not determined how or why the latest confrontation took place, Lake Mary Police Officer Bianca Gillett said Monday.

Attorney Don West, who represents Zimmerman, told the Associated Press that a bullet missed Zimmerman’s head. Zimmerman was sprayed with glass from his vehicle’s windshield and other debris, said the lawyer, who added that his client was treated and released from a hospital.

In 2012, Zimmerman shot and killed Martin, an unarmed black teenager who was returning from a Sanford, Fla., convenience store where he had purchased a soft drink and a package of Skittles candy.

The shooting of Martin became a national issue prompting demonstrations and a fierce debate about the profiling of black teenagers.

After his acquittal, Zimmerman in September 2013 was detained by police when his estranged wife accused him of threatening her with a gun.

And in November 2013, he was accused of threatening his then-girlfriend with a shotgun. No charges were filed in either incident.

Monday’s incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

Times staff writer Michael Muskal contributed to this report.

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