Florida Teen Killed

Jordan Davis

 A Florida teen was killed last month because his music was too loud.

 Jordan Davis, 17, was in a gas station parking lot with his friends when a man asked them to turn their music down. The teens allegedly refused to turn down their music, leaving Michael Dunn, 45, to feel “threatened.” Dunn proceeded to pull out a gun and fired eight rounds into the car full of Black teens. After the shooting, Dunn fled the scene, driving 159 miles per hour. Davis was shot twice and died in his friend’s arms.

 Dunn is claiming self defense and will possibly use Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law in his case. Both cars were parked next to each other at the gas station. Dunn told the police that after asking the teens to turn down their music, they threatened him. He also claims that he saw a gun in the car. However, police later discovered that a gun was not present in the teen’s car.

 Ron Davis, the victim’s father, said his son didn’t own any guns and wasn’t part of a gang. He says that his son was a good kid.

 “[Dunn] did something that there was no defense for,” says Davis.

 Many people are comparing this incident to Travon Martin, seeing as Dunn is an adult, White male who killed an unarmed Black teen. Dunn’s lawyer, Robin Lemonidis insists that there is no comparison between the two incidents.

 “There are no comparisons to the Travon Martin situation,” Lemonidis said. “[Dunn] is devastated and horrified by the death of the teen.”

 Lemonidis alleges that this shooting is different because Dunn actually felt threatened and was using self-defense. Florida is one of 24 states to have a “Stand Your Ground” law, in which a person is justified in the use of deadly force if feeling threatened.

 This shooting raises questions of whether the “Stand Your Ground” law should be changed. It also brings people to question whether this shooting will enhance racial tension.

 Davis’ body will be moved to Atlanta, the home of his mother, for a burial service. 

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