Long unanswered questions into what George Zimmerman claims happened the night he shot Trayvon Martin began to come into focus Monday.
According to a Sanford Police employee, Zimmerman told officers Trayvon beat him and he was forced to shoot him in self-defense. Zimmerman has not been arrested and has not been charged with any crime in relation to the Travon Martin shooting.
After talking with a 911 dispatcher, Zimmerman said he was walking back to his SUV after losing sight of Martin after he got out of his vehicle and went to approach the boy.
The employee said Zimmerman told detectives Martin approached him from behind, they spoke for a moment and Martin punched him in the face.
Zimmerman said Martin began to beat him, suffering a bloody nose and lacerations to the back of his head.
According to the employee, Zimmerman told officers he then shot the 17-year-old in his self-defense, as he was being beaten.
The family of Martin claims Zimmerman confronted Martin and initiated an altercation, before shooting the boy.
A friend who said she was on the phone with Martin at the time of the altercation said the phone went silent after Martin told her he was being followed.
“He said this man was watching him. So, he put his hoodie on…”
She then went on to say Martin was cornered.
“Trayvon said ‘what are you following me for?’ The man said ‘what [are] you doing around here.’” The girl then said that’s when things took a turn.
“Then somebody pushed Trayvon cause the headset just fell.” She then said the phone line went dead. Soon after, Zimmerman killed Trayvon.
Zimmerman side of story leaked by police employee
The information released Monday was leaked to the media from by the Sanford Police employee.
“We do not condone these unauthorized leaks of information,” Sanford City Manager Norton Bonaparte Jr. said.
“Acting Chief Scott will be doing an internal investigation within the Sanford Police Department, as this type of action compromises the integrity of the law enforcement agency which has pledged to uphold the law”.
Bonaparte stated that disciplinary action, including possible termination, will be taken against anyone found to have leaked information from the department.
Friend comes to defense of Zimmerman
One of George Zimmerman's closest friends is now speaking out and defending one of the most controversial people in the nation.
"He's a good man, who was trying to do the right thing and it turned out horribly wrong."
Oliver said Zimmerman is being portrayed as someone he's not.
"He's extremely remorseful, he cried for days after it happened, okay. He's just now realizing how big this is," Oliver said.
He said Zimmerman is in hiding and scared for his life.
"He's gone through a period basically not undifferent (sic) from anybody who's lost an life. I mean he's lost his," Oliver said.
The lawyer counseling Zimmerman has maintained his client was acting in self-defense and the public had only heard part of the story.
Monday marks one month since Trayvon Martin's death. Several events have been planned in Sanford to continue the call for Zimmerman's arrest.