Attempted second-degree murder charge
Apperson’s charges are upgraded to attempted second-degree murder. Apperson is also charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and aggravated assault with a firearm. State Attorney:
Our law enforcement community and the State Attorney’s Office works vigorously to ensure people may travel our busy streets, going about their business, without fear. Every resident and visitor to Seminole County deserves this freedom.
Apperson’s lawyer:
My reaction to these charges is a pronounced shrug. I’ve reviewed the charges and they don’t change the facts. The prosecutors have put their heads together and tried to contemplate what could be the most serious charges, but that doesn’t really change anything. This is a case of self-defense.
Arrested
Apperson is arrested on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and one count of firing a deadly missile into a vehicle. Apperson turned himself into police and bond is set at $35,000. Police said they determined Apperson fired his gun at Zimmerman without provocation. Zimmerman’s lawyer says Zimmerman was in town for Mother’s Day and was on his way to the doctor when he noticed Apperson following him. He made a U-Turn, and Apperson followed. Then, he said, he caught up with Zimmerman and pulled along side his truck and fired a bullet into the side window. Apperson’s lawyer.
We expected this as Mr. Apperson, under the advice of counsel and exercising his Constitutional right did not provide additional statements to law enforcement. He had already made statements and this is deemed sufficient, as of now. Mr. Zimmerman apparently did make statements and as such, it appears a decision was made to arrest on the basis of Mr. Zimmerman’s statements. That is neither unusual nor was it unexpected.