On February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American high school student, was fatally shot in a predominantly White neighborhood by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer. Zimmerman observed Martin wearing a hoodie, called 911 to report him as suspicious, and pursued him despite the 911 operator's instructions not to follow him. During the call, Zimmerman stated, "[expletive] punks. These [expletive], they always get away." A physical altercation ensued, resulting in Zimmerman shooting the unarmed teenager. Zimmerman claimed self-defense and was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter by a Florida jury, a verdict that sparked a nationwide outcry.