Community wants justice for man killed in 'Stand Your Ground' shooting

CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - Several dozen residents held a rally and march Sunday, demanding justice after the Pinellas County sheriff says the shooting of a man at a convenience store was in self-defense.

At least 100 people came together at the Mt. Carmel Church in Clearwater to show support for the family of the shooting victim, 28-year-old Markeis McGlockton, and to call for the arrest of 47-year-old Michael Drejka.

Demonstrators marched from the church to the Circle A Food Store in Clearwater where McGlockton was shot and killed Thursday by Drejka, who told police he shot McGlockton because he feared for his life.

Drejka is currently a free man after the sheriff said Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law applied in the case. It's a decision some community members don't support.

"The law is for bullies with guns," Frank Dixon said. 

Moments before the shooting, investigators say Drejka was arguing with McGlockton's girlfriend, 24-year-old Britney Jacobs, because she was parked in a handicapped spot without proper tags. When McGlockton saw the altercation he left the store, walked toward Drejka, and pushed him to the ground. That's when Drejka can be seen pulling out his gun and fatally shooting McGlockton in the chest.

"Britney was in the spot first," Shalimar Reed said. "So he didn't have to go up and act like the handicap rent-a-cop."

The Circle A Food Store has now turned into a rallying post for demonstrators. Sunday, police temporarily closed down the road to protect protestors.

"We want to make sure that everything stay peaceful," Clearwater Police Chief Daniel Slaughter said. "We also want to make sure and show support for our community members. Although the law may not be something we always agree with, we definitely feel the same pain that they feel."

It's now up to prosecutors to decide if Drejka was, in fact, acting in self-defense.