The U.S. Justice Department will not file civil rights charges against George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin in 2012, ABC News reported on Tuesday.
The network said the department had not found sufficient evidence that Zimmerman intentionally violated the civil rights of Martin, 17.
A Justice Department official had no immediate comment on the ABC report. A spokesman for Martin’s family said they were meeting with Justice Department officials on Tuesday.
The killing set off a national discussion on race and gun laws. Thursday will be the third anniversary of the shooting.
Zimmerman fatally shot Martin in the chest in a confrontation in Zimmerman’s neighborhood in Sanford, Florida, after following and stopping the teenager because he thought he was suspicious. Zimmerman said he fired because he feared for his safety. In 2013, he was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter.
Zimmerman’s attorney, Don West, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.