A Florida man who shot dead another man during an argument over a disabled parking space will not face charges over the killing, according to local officials citing the state’s controversial “stand your ground” laws.
The Washington Post says the victim – Markeis McGlockton, 28 – became involved in an altercation with 47-year-old Michael Drejka over the parking spot.
When McGlockton pushed Drejka to the ground, Drejka reportedly produced a gun, shooting McGlockton once in the chest. McGlockton died shortly afterwards at the scene, and the shooting was caught on CCTV footage.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told the Tampa Bay Times that because Drejka was “in fear of being attacked” after being shoved to the ground, he was within his rights to defend himself against further aggression.
“The law in the state of Florida today is that people have a right to stand their ground and have a right to defend themselves when they believe that they are in harm,” Gualtieri said, adding: “I don't make the law. I enforce the law.”
The case will be referred to the Florida State Attorney’s office for further review.
-
5 museum-grade cartoons about Trump's Smithsonian purgeCartoons Artists take on institutional rebranding, exhibit interpretation, and more
-
Settling the West Bank: a death knell for a Palestine state?In the Spotlight The reality on the ground is that the annexation of the West Bank is all but a done deal
-
Crossword: August 23, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
