Personally, I think there is more to the story then what we are hearing. Everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon of their choosing then ranting and raving, when many here will complain that the media does the same thing.
From what I have heard about fl. law you can protect your self with a gun in a public place. This seems to be ignored in most of the arguements I have heard.
Guy was told not to pursue by dispatch. I dont know about fl but in wi unless it comes from a lawfully sworn in Officer its not a lawful order, only a recommendation (dispatchers are not sworn)
The guy was in the neighborhood watch program, he pursued to observe the guy and protect his neighborhood, THAT IS WHAT THEY DO!! I can only assume he did not know it would be confrontational, (hind sight is 20/20, but does not count)
The boy only had a BOTTLE of ice tea and skittles. I now of at least a couple people killed or seriously injured by bottle in my area, so to say he was unarmed is not entirly true, depends on the use of the bottle. Could be a weapon. Go after a police officer with a bottle and see if he uses deadly force to stop you, it would be a good indicator as to if a bottle could be a weapon. I already no the answer to this, so I wont try it.
I think it was a bad, confusing situation for both parties and a series of bad mistaken Identities by both parties. I think the kid jumped the other guy because he felt he needed to protect himself and was being pursued by a guy. Then a fight insued and the boy got shot by guy who felt like he was attacked by a thug and needed to defend himself.
Everyone wants to blame someone. But in this case I think both side should have equal blame.