A Florida policeman fired for using a
shooting target modeled after Trayvon Martin claims his intentions have
been misunderstood and apologized to Martin's family.
In a video posted to YouTube, Cape Canaveral's Sgt. Ron King said he intended the target to be used as a training tool for a 'no-shoot situation.'
'I would like to start my statement by first apologizing to the family of Trayvon Martin for being used as a pawn in somebody’s political agenda,' he said.
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'As a result of last year’s Trayvon Martin shooting, a company
offered for sale a target of a faceless silhouette wearing a hoodie with
his hands in his pockets, one of which was holding two objects, these
objects in the hand were non-threatening and the target was something
that I viewed as a no-shoot situation,' he continued.
'While others used it as a novelty, I view it as a tool for scenario based firearms training. Although to date, the targets have never been used, I did possess the targets for those training reasons.'
According to WFTV two officers saw the targets in the back of Sgt. Ron King's vehicle and they informed the Chief of the Port Authority Police.
King was allegedly bringing the targets to a firearms training session in Cocoa, Florida at Brevard Community College.
The sergeant, who has been on the force since January of 2011, was on duty at the time.
He had purchased the two targets from the internet. It is not clear if they were used during the training session.
After an investigation from internal affairs, King was fired on Thursday.
John Walsh, the CEO of Cape Canaveral Port Authority, spoke to WFTV and apologized to Port Canaveral and the family of Trayvon Martin.
'It’s something that we’d never want the Port Authority to be involved in and we truly apologize to the families for the pain that they even had to hear about something like this and had to relive their son’s death again.'
Trayvon Martin was fatally shot on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida in a case that sparked national headlines.
Sanford is approximately 65 miles from Port Canaveral.
Ben Crump, the Martin family attorney released a statement following reports of the targets.
'It is absolutely reprehensible that a high-ranking member of the Port Canaveral Police, sworn to protect and serve Floridians, would use the image of a dead child as target practice. Such a deliberate and depraved indifference to this grieving family is unacceptable.'
WFTV went to King's home for a comment but he did not answer.
George Zimmerman, the man accused of killing Martin, is set to appear in court for a June trial on a charge of second-degree murder.
In a video posted to YouTube, Cape Canaveral's Sgt. Ron King said he intended the target to be used as a training tool for a 'no-shoot situation.'
'I would like to start my statement by first apologizing to the family of Trayvon Martin for being used as a pawn in somebody’s political agenda,' he said.
Scroll down for video
Sgt. Ron King, of the Port Canaveral police
department, brought two shooting targets resembling Trayvon Martin to a
firing session while on duty
King had been with the police department since
2011. He said he purchased the targets as a way to train people when not
to shoot.
Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager, was killed
by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman on February 26, 2012 in
Sanford, Florida. The case sparked a national outcry.
On the one-year anniversary of Martin's death a
candlelight vigil was held in Sanford, which is less than 65 miles from
Port Canaveral. Attendees were asked to wear 'hoodies,' which Martin
wore the night he was killed.
'While others used it as a novelty, I view it as a tool for scenario based firearms training. Although to date, the targets have never been used, I did possess the targets for those training reasons.'
According to WFTV two officers saw the targets in the back of Sgt. Ron King's vehicle and they informed the Chief of the Port Authority Police.
King was allegedly bringing the targets to a firearms training session in Cocoa, Florida at Brevard Community College.
The sergeant, who has been on the force since January of 2011, was on duty at the time.
King apologized to Martin's family saying they had been 'used as a pawn in somebody¿s political agenda'
After an investigation from internal affairs, King was fired on Thursday.
John Walsh, the CEO of Cape Canaveral Port Authority, spoke to WFTV and apologized to Port Canaveral and the family of Trayvon Martin.
'It’s something that we’d never want the Port Authority to be involved in and we truly apologize to the families for the pain that they even had to hear about something like this and had to relive their son’s death again.'
Trayvon Martin was fatally shot on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida in a case that sparked national headlines.
Sanford is approximately 65 miles from Port Canaveral.
Two officers reported to the chief of police about the shooting targets. King was fired last Thursday.
John Walsh (left), CEO of the Cape Canaveral
Port authority, apologized to the family of Trayvon Martin while Ben
Crump (right), attorney for the Martin family, released a statement
condemning the targets.
Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder and his trial begins in June
'It is absolutely reprehensible that a high-ranking member of the Port Canaveral Police, sworn to protect and serve Floridians, would use the image of a dead child as target practice. Such a deliberate and depraved indifference to this grieving family is unacceptable.'
WFTV went to King's home for a comment but he did not answer.
George Zimmerman, the man accused of killing Martin, is set to appear in court for a June trial on a charge of second-degree murder.