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Feds Investigating Trayvon Martin Shooting

After intense public pressure, federal authorities will investigate last month’s fatal shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin.

Martin was shot and killed by crime-watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who was patrolling his neighborhood, Sanford, after a rash of break-ins. Zimmerman reported the 17-year-old to 911 as suspicious, but despite being told by police that they would handle the situation, he claims he shot the unarmed teen in self-defense.

Tensions are high in the community, and the incident has brought new debate about the state’s “stand your ground” law, which allows people to claim self-defense without retreating a perceived threat.

The Department of Justice and the FBI have announced they will “conduct a thorough and independent review of all of the evidence and take appropriate action at the conclusion of the investigation.”