A Floridian who shot and killed another man during an argument over a handicap parking space is protected under the state’s controversial Stand Your Ground law and will not be arrested, reports the Tampa Bay Times. The confrontation between Michael Drejka, 47, and Markeis McGlockton, 28, took place in a Clearwater convenience store parking lot last Thursday afternoon. According to deputies, Drejka confronted McGlockton’s girlfriend, Britany Jacobs, about parking in a handicap space without a permit. McGlockton went up to Drejka and “slammed him to the ground,” said Pinellas County Sheriff County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. While still on the ground, Drejka pulled out his handgun and shot McGlockton in the chest, killing the father of three.
Drejka told deputies that he was he was in fear of being attacked again. He owned the gun legally and had a concealed carry permit. The shooting “is within the bookends of ‘stand your ground’ and within the bookends of force being justified,” Gualtieri said. He added, “I’m not saying I agree with it, but I don’t make that call.” The law gives immunity to those in fear of their lives who use force to defend themselves. The State Attorney’s Office will make a final decision on charges, Gualtieri said. Jacobs, McGlockton’s girlfriend, said, “It’s a wrongful death. It’s messed up. Markeis is a good man … He was just protecting us, you know? And it hurts so bad.” She broke down in tears.