Cops: Shooter Said ... 'I Hope I Got Him This Time' 5/15/2015 5:31 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
The guy who shot at George Zimmerman during a road rage incident this week ... allegedly taunted Zimmerman moments before opening fire, yelling ... "You remember me, you fat motherf****r?"
Matthew Apperson was arrested by Lake Mary PD on Friday and charged with 3 crimes --aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, and firing a deadly missile.
According to police a detective on the crime scene overheard Apperson say, "I hope I got him this time." As we've reported, Apperson and Zimmerman had another road rage incident last year -- and cops say it appears Apperson is now obsessed with Zimmerman.
Zimmerman told police Apperson pulled up behind him and started yelling the "fat" comment, and also ... "You owe me your life. The only reason I didn't press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself."
Moments later Apperson pulled up next to Zimmerman's truck and fired one shot into his vehicle.
Apperson tells a slightly different story ... claiming Zimmerman pulled out a gun and said, "I'm going to kill you" -- prompting Apperson to shoot. Apperson's maintained he fired in self defense.
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The man who shot at George Zimmerman, Matt Apperson, was arrested at approximately 6:40pm.  Charges:…”Mr. Apperson did intentionally fire into the vehicle, occupied by George Zimmerman, without provocation”…
- One count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
- One count of aggravated battery with deadly weapon.
- One count of firing deadly missile into an occupied vehicle.
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In the City of Lake Mary, on W. Lake Mary Blvd. near the intersection of Waymont Ct. Lake Mary, Florida, the defendant, Matthew Barbour Apperson, did commit the offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, in violation of F.S. 784.021 (1)(a), to wit: On or about on May 11, 2015, the defendant, Matthew Barbour Apperson, intentionally and unlawfully threatened to do violence by an act of pointing a firearm at the victim, George Michael Zimmerman, which created in the mind of the victim a well-founded fear that violence was about to take place. In the City of Lake Mary, on W. Lake Mary Blvd. near the intersection of Waymont Ct. Lake Mary, Florida, the defendant, Matthew Barbour Apperson, did commit the offense of aggravated battery, in violation of F.S. 784.045 (1)(a)(2) to wit: On or about on May 11, 2015, the defendant intentionally touched or struck or caused bodily harm to the victim, George Michael Zimmerman, while using a firearm, which is considered a deadly weapon. In the City of Lake Mary, on W. Lake Mary Blvd. near the intersection of Waymont Ct. Lake Mary, Florida, the defendant, Matthew Barbour Apperson, did commit the offense of shooting into an occupied conveyance, in violation of F.S. 790.19 to wit: On or about on May 11, 2015, the defendant wantonly and maliciously shot a firearm at and into George Michael Zimmerman’s vehicle. Furthermore, George Zimmerman occupied the vehicle at the time of the shooting. On May 11, 2015, at approximately 1250 hours, Lake Mary Police Officer John Call was in the area of Trailhead Park located at 3990 W. Lake Mary Blvd. Lake Mary, FL, when he was flagged down by the driver of a gray Honda Ridgeline who Ofc. Call recognized to be George Zimmerman. Zimmerman told Ofc. Call that he had just been shot by a white male who was driving a gray 4 door Infiniti. Ofc. Call relaed the information to other officers via radio communications. While Ofc. Call was attendin to Zimmerman, Lake Mary Dispatch received a 911 call regarding the same incident. The caller advised that a white male, later identified as Matthew Barbour Apperson, asked him to call 911 because he just shot at George Zimmerman. The caller turned the phone over to Apperson who then advised the 911 operator at 101 Waymont Ct. Lake Mary, FL. Apperson also stated to the 911 operator that while they were on Lake Mary Blvd., George Zimmerman pulled a gun on him so he shot at Zimmerman. Lake Mary Police Sergeant, Steve Towler, responded to 101 Waymont Ct. where he made contact with Apperson. While on scene, Apperson made several statements to Sgt. Towler. Apperson told Sgt. Towler that he shot at Zimmerman with his .357 while they were traveling down W. Lake Mary Blvd. Apperson explained that he shot at Zimmerman because Zimmerman pointed a gun at him. Apperson said when Zimmerman pointed the gun at him, he rolled down his window and shot at him with his .357. Apperson continued to explain what occurred and said that he fired one round through the passenger window. Det. C. Umana, who arrived on scene at Waymont Ct. shortly after Sgt. Towler arrived, overheard Apperson say, “I hope I got him this time”. I responded to Ofc. Call’s location to begin an investigation. Upon arrival, I saw a small circular hole in the Honda’s front passenger side window. According to Ofc. Crawford, who was also on scene, there were two holes in the headliner above Zimmerman’s head. This information was consistent with Apperson’s statements that he shot at Zimmerman while they were traveling down W. Lake Mary Blvd. Lake Mary Fire/Rescue responded to the scene and transported Zimmerman to the hospital to be treated for the injuries he sustained from the shooting. Zimmerman had injuries to his face and his right arm. Zimmerman did not provide a statement at this time. While at the scene with Apperson, Sgt. Towler told him that he was not in custody and asked him if he wanted to be escorted to the Lake Mary Police Department for an interview. Apperson agreed and rode with Sgt. Towler to the Lake Mary Police Department. During my interview with Apperson at the Lake Mary Police Department I advised him that he was free to go at any time. Mr. Apperson agreed to speak with me about the incident. He said while he was traveling on W. Lake Mary Blvd., he saw a Honda Ridgeline and a person, who is well known to him. Apperson said the person, Zimmerman, reached out to him, reached a gun at him and said “I’m going to kill you.” Apperson said he didn’t let it go any further than that, so he took his .357, cocked the hammer back, and fired one shot. Apperson said he saw a hole in the window where a passenger would be, but claimed he knew no passenger was in Zimmerman’s vehicle. During the interview, Apperson said he did not want to answer any more questions. The interview with Apperson was concluded.On 05/13/2015, at approximately 1400 hours, Lt. Biles and I met with Zimmerman to discuss the events that occurred on 05/11/2015. According to Zimmerman, on 05/11/2015, at approximately 12:30 hours he was traveling on W. Lake Mary Blvd. Zimmerman entered the median at the intersection of Crystal Dr. to make a u-turn to travel in the opposite direction. At that time, Zimmerman’s driver side window was down slightly. While Zimmerman was angled in the median to make the u-turn, the driver of an Infiniti got behind him and yelled, “You remember me you fat mother fucker?” Zimmerman looked back and did not recognize him. The driver then said, “You owe me your life. The only reason I didn’t press charges on you is because I wanted to kill you myself.” Zimmerman laughed at him and called him a clown. Before Zimmerman rolled up his window, the driver told him to pull over and they could handle it man to man. Zimmerman rolled up his window, completed the u-turn, and began traveling the opposite direction on W. Lake Mary Blvd. At that time, the Infiniti completed the u-turn as well and got behind Zimmerman again. The driver of the Infiniti then switched lanes into the outside lanes, sped up, and pulled next to Zimmerman’s vehicle. Zimmerman looked over, saw a gun pointed at him, and then heard a bang. Zimmerman immediately stopped and saw the Infiniti speed pass him. Zimmerman noticed the bullet hole in his front passenger window. Zimmerman saw blood on him and thought that he had been shot. Zimmerman flagged down a Lake Mary Police Officer and they stopped near the entrance of Trailhead Park. Zimmerman then told the Lake Mary Officer what happened and medical attention was requested. During the interview, Zimmerman said he did not point a gun at the driver of the Infiniti or threaten him in any way. Zimmerman swore to his statement and indicated that he wanted to press charges.
During the investigation, I learned that Apperson has exhibited unusual behaviors in which he had recently been admitted to a mental institution. It appears that Apperson has a fixation on Zimmerman and has displayed some signs of paranoia, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
On 05/15/2015, Lt. Biles, Sgt. Gowen, and I made contact with Apperson at 305 Waymont Ct. I arrested Apperson for aggravated battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting into an occupied conveyance. Ofc. M. Connors transported Apperson to John E. Polk Correctional Facility.
http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2015/05/15/breaking-man-who-shot-at-george-zimmerman-matt-apperson-arrested/ |
