CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Emotions are still running high after a man was killed during a confrontation over a parking space at the Circle A Food Store in Clearwater on Thursday, July 19.
- Community members to hold vigil at Circle A Food Store
- Markeis McGlockton shot and killed over parking space
- Community members outrage over Stand Your Ground
The shooter is protected from arrest under the 'Stand Your Ground' law and on Saturday, people gathered at the scene of the shooting to protest the Florida law.
Community members plan to gather again to honor Markeis McGlockton with a vigil Sunday night.
A memorial has been set up outside the store, directly in front of the handicap parking spot that was the center of the fatal shooting.
McGlockton was shot and killed by Michael Drejka during an argument over a handicap parking space.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said McGlockton was inside the store with his 5-year-old son when Drejka confronted McGlockton's girlfriend about being parked in the handicap spot.
According to a witness, when McGlockton came out of the store and saw what was happening, he shoved Drejka to the ground.
Drejka then pulled out a handgun and shot McGlockton once in the chest. McGlockton later died at an area hospital.
People say McGlockton went to the Circle A store often and community members say they're outraged.
"People come up here and park in these same parking spaces. And it could have been me in that situation, it could have been any one of these dudes out here in that situation. It could have been anybody," Lorenzo Jenkins said.
The sheriff's office said under the Stand Your Ground law, his office cannot arrest Drejka.
Protesters say they want justice for McGlockton. They don't agree with the Stand Your Ground law that protects Drejka in this case and say he should face charges.
"I just cannot believe that that is the strict interpretation of the law because if it is we've opened up Pandora's Box to the okay morale where folks just start shooting each other simply because folks can get away because they're fearful," President of the NAACP St. Petersburg Maria Scruggs said.
A vigil will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Circle A Food Store.
