Trayvon Martin would have celebrated his 18th birthday today. The teen, whose story quickly became the topic of almost every news discussion last year, was shot and killed almost one year ago, only 11 days after he turned 17.
Martin was headed back to the home of his father's girlfriend shortly after 7 p.m. on Feb. 26 after a trip to the convenience store. George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old neighborhood watch member, reported Martin to the police and told the 911 dispatcher that the teenager looked "suspicious." Zimmerman was told by the dispatcher not to follow Martin, but a few minutes after the police call, Martin lay dead from a gunshot to the chest.
Zimmerman admitted to police that he shot Martin, but claimed he acted in self-defense; he was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He is currently awaiting trial set for June 10.
The case garnered national attention, with protests and rallies around the country calling for the shooting to be investigated and for Zimmerman to be prosecuted.
Today, a Florida judge denied George Zimmerman's request to delay the trial.
We'd like to take a brief moment to remember Trayvon Martin today and honor his memory.