SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — College students rallied on Monday outside of the Seminole County courthouse, calling for an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
According to police, George Zimmerman, who was patrolling on neighborhood watch as a volunteer, shot and killed Martin on Feb. 26. Zimmerman told police he shot Martin in self-defense.
Students from schools like University of Central Florida, Valencia College and Florida A&M University gathered in Sanford on Monday to raise support and awareness about Martin's case. The students, along with church leaders, are calling on the State Attorney's Office to take action and arrest Zimmerman.
Protestors were outside the Seminole County courthouse yelling, "Arrest Zimmerman now! Arrest Zimmerman now!"
"We are students from all over Florida demanding the immediate arrest of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin," said student Ese Ighedosa.
The students and an attorney demanded a meeting with the State Attorney's Office, which was granted.
After more than an hour, they walked out and said one of the top attorneys, Pat Whitaker, told them they're considering manslaughter charges.
But the students seemed unsatisfied that they were told it could take weeks before a decision is made.
LISTEN: 911 calls 1 - 3 | 911 calls 4 - 6 | 911 call 7
LISTEN: George Zimmerman call to Sanford Police
MORE CALLS Zimmerman call to Sanford Police
Martin's family has criticized The Sanford Police for not arresting 28-year-old Zimmerman.
Seven calls to 911, and a call made by Zimmerman to Sanford police the night of the shooting, were released Friday night.
Martin, who was visiting from south Florida, was unarmed and was returning from a trip to a store, carrying an iced tea and some Skittles when he was shot in the Twin Lakes subdivision in Sanford.
Zimmerman had called police to report a suspicious person walking through the neighborhood. Martin's family says 911 calls show the teen was terrified as he tried to flee Zimmerman.
Zimmerman's father says his son has been unfairly portrayed as a racist.
Rallies for Martin are popping up from Seminole to Brevard County. Both counties share the same state attorney.
Two days after several 911 calls were released in Martin's shooting death, activists along with St. James AME Church and the North Brevard Ministerial Alliance arranged a prayer vigil and march on Sunday to make citizens aware of the case and garner support.
"It was a serious issue and we needed a big crowd and they came through," said Rev. Glenn Dames, of Saint James AME.
"Does his life only equate to a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea?" asked Dames.
"Why is Seminole County the only county in the U.S. where a pack of Skittles is equivalent to a .9-millimeter?" asked student Jason Reed.
After the vigil, the entire congregation marched to the nearby historic court house of Titusville.
Dames said he'd like to see charges filed against Zimmerman as soon as this week.
Until then, he said there will be more rallies so Martin's case doesn't get lost in the system.
WFTV found out Martin's parents will be in Central Florida on Thursday to attend a rally organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton. It's being held at the First Shiloh Baptist Church in Sanford and begins at 7 p.m.
An online petition to get the state attorney to prosecute Zimmerman is gaining support. More than 365,000 people have signed the petition.
Sanford police investigated the shooting and Zimmerman's claims of self-defense, but said they did not have enough evidence to charge him in Martin's death. The case was turned over to the State Attorney's Office, which is now seeking help from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
State Attorney Norm Wolfinger will decide if Zimmerman should be charged, or he could send the case to a grand jury to make the decision.
National law enforcement experts have questioned the Sanford Police Department's investigation into the shooting.
Experts said comments from the recently released 911 calls make them question whether Zimmerman was drunk or on drugs during the shooting.
"It really concerns me that Mr. Zimmerman appears adamant about pursuing Trayvon Martin with not really sufficient cause," said former FBI Special Agent Brad Garrett.
The Sanford Police Department said it stands behind its investigation.
WFTV obtained information about Zimmerman's background:
In Sept. 2003, Zimmerman called 911 to report that another driver had spat at him from car to car.
Zimmerman followed the other driver, Daniel Osmun, into Lake Mary.
Osmun accused Zimmerman of tailgating and aggressive driving, and Zimmerman followed him and reported his tag number.
In Oct. 2003, Zimmerman called 911 and reported witnessing a theft at an Albertson's on Lake Emma Road in Lake Mary. Zimmerman followed the alleged culprits, "apparently giving chase."
Deputies caught up with the thieves, who had confessed to stealing two 13-inch televisions.
In Dec 2008, Zimmerman applied to attend the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy. He offered info that he was arrested July 2005 in an incident involving undercover UCF officers.
He was accepted and completed the program.
Zimmerman said his father was a magistrate for Virginia Supreme Court and mother was a deputy court clerk. He stated that he had the utmost respect for law enforcement and aspired to be an officer someday.
Zimmerman made about 10 percent of the 401 calls to Sanford police from retreat at Twin Lakes subdivision from Jan. 2011 to Feb. 2012. That is 46 of the 402.
WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said prosecutors would want to bring in as much evidence as they could to help their case if they charge him.