Statement from Pompano Pat's denies knowledge of George Zimmerman security detail in DeLand
Police: Acquitted killer was there 'as a friend'
Beacon Online News
By Rick Tonyan
Beacon Staff Writer
posted Jul 29, 2014 - 11:41:29am
"George Zimmerman, the man who shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford in February 2012, was in DeLand over the weekend, providing security for Pompano Pat's on South Woodland Boulevard, the DeLand Police Department said.
And reports of his presence prompted threats of violence against the business and its owner, a store employee said.
Pompano Pat's, which sells guns and motorcycles, is owned by DeLand mayoral candidate Pat Johnson. Johnson is challenging incumbent Mayor Bob Apgar in the Aug. 26 election.
Three hours after the story broke online, Pompano Pat's issued a press release denying that Johnson knew anything about Zimmerman being at Pompano Pat's.
"The reports and allegations are nothing more than a negative political campaign stunt," Tim Franklin, Pompano Pat's media-relations manager, wrote in the statement.
But the DeLand Police Department said it was, indeed, George Zimmerman on the property at about 1 a.m. Sunday morning, July 27.
"We ran into Mr. Zimmerman over the weekend," Sgt. Chris Estes told The Beacon."
More...
Includes full 9 or so minute police dash cam video. On my iPad I had to use my earpods to hear the sound.
