Confirmed? George Zimmerman Racially Profiled Trayvon Martin

Investigator’s affidavit details chain of events used in jailed shooter’s probable cause arrest

A newly released investigators’ report suggests officials believe George Zimmerman racially profiled Trayvon Martin, before he shot him to death.

Zimmerman, the 28-year-old neighborhood watch volunteer, who appeared in court Thursday to face a second degree murder charge in Martin’s death, is said to have profiled the 17-year-old Miami student, according to an affidavit supporting the jailed shooter’s probable cause arrest.

From three-page affidavit document:

“That evening Martin walked to a nearby 7-11 store where he purchased a can of iced tea and a bag of skittles. Martin then walked back to and entered the gated community and was on his way back to the townhouse where he was living when he was profiled by George Zimmerman. Martin was unarmed and was not committing a crime.”

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The document goes on to say that Zimmeman “assumed Martin was a criminal” and “felt (he) did not belong in the gated community.” Investigators also reference the 911 calls from Zimmerman, in which he says, “these assholes, they always get away” and “these f*cking punks.”

Several news organizations tried to decipher the portion of the tape where Zimmerman used the expletive. Some believed that the racial slur, “coon,” could be heard, and not “punks.”

The affidavit, however, isn’t considered a “complete recitation of all pertinent facts and evidence in the case…”

The Department of Justice launched its investigation three weeks ago, pledging to explore any evidence that Zimmerman, who pursued Martin against the advisement of Florida law enforcement, may have racially profiled the teen.

"If we find evidence of a potential federal criminal civil rights crime, we will take appropriate action," Attorney General Eric Holder said on Wednesday, during National Action Network convention in Washington.

Legal analysts and attorneys for the Martin family have said they did not expect Florida or federal law enforcement officials to reach that conclusion. The burden of proof is much higher for hate crimes.

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