Matthew Apperson Accused of 'Intentionally' Shooting at George Zimmerman's Car
Apperson turned himself into the police early Friday evening.
— -- A man was arrested in Florida today and accused of "intentionally" shooting at George Zimmerman's car earlier this week, police said.
Detectives said they determined Matthew Apperson "did intentionally fire his weapon into the vehicle occupied by George Zimmerman without provocation," the Lake Mary Police Department said in a news release this evening.
Apperson was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and firing a deadly missile into an occupied conveyance, police said.
Apperson turned himself into the police early this evening and was taken to the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, police said.
According to an arrest report released by the Lake Mary police, Apperson "has exhibited unusual behaviors" and "It appears that Apperson has a fixation on Zimmerman."
Apperson's attorney, Mark NeJame, said in a statement tonight, "the case will proceed through the criminal justice system appropriately and ultimately a determination will be made as what truly happened. Mr. Apperson will continue not to comment until such time as it may be deemed appropriate."
NeJame said "bond is set at $35,000 and his release has been arranged."
Zimmerman had flagged down an officer in Lake Mary Monday, saying someone shot at him and his car, the police said. At the same time, someone called 911 on behalf of Apperson, reporting that he had said he shot Zimmerman, police said.
According to the arrest report, Apperson told an officer "that he shot at Zimmerman because Zimmerman pointed a gun at him."
"Apperson said the person, Zimmerman, reached out to him, reached a gun at him and said 'I'm going to kill you,'" the arrest report says. "Apperson said he didn't let it go any further than that, so he took his .357, cocked the hammer back, and fired one shot."
According to the arrest report, a detective overheard Apperson say "I hope I got him this time."
When Zimmerman spoke to the police, according to the arrest report, he said the other driver said to him: "'You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself.'"
"Zimmerman laughed at him and called him a clown," the arrest report continues. "Before Zimmerman rolled up his window, the driver told him to pull over and they could handle it man to man. Zimmerman rolled up his window, completed the u-turn, and began traveling the opposite direction."
Zimmerman said the other car followed him and pulled up next to him, according to the arrest report: "Zimmerman looked over, saw a gun pointed at him, and then heard a bang... Zimmerman said he did not point a gun at the driver."
Zimmerman indicated that he wanted to press charges, the police report says.
Zimmerman was hospitalized with minor injuries and later released, according to police.
This wasn't the first run-in between Zimmerman and Apperson. In September 2014, the Associated Press reported that Apperson was stopped at a light in Lake Mary when a passenger in the car next to him started yelling, unprovoked.
The truck's driver, who Apperson believed to be Zimmerman, then reportedly said to Apperson, "Do you know who I am?"
Apperson pulled over, he said, and the truck followed him, blocking him in. Apperson claimed both men threatened to shoot and kill him, the AP reported. Apperson said he called police, but the truck was gone when officers arrived.
Two days later, Apperson said he saw Zimmerman outside his office and was worried Zimmerman was waiting for him, the AP reported.
Apperson declined to press charges, the AP reported at the time.
In 2012, Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman in Sanford, Florida, shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
Florida prosecutors tried to convict Zimmerman of state-level murder and manslaughter charges, but in July 2013 a jury acquitted him, saying prosecutors didn't have enough evidence to prove their case.