ST. PETERSBURG, Fja. - U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is asking the Department of Justice to investigate a deadly shooting in Clearwater that has gained national attention.
Nelson was among five members of Congress who signed the letter, addressed to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore.
"We are writing to request that the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Criminal Section open an investigation into the death of Markeis McGlockton at the hands of Michael Drejka in Clearwater, Florida, on July 19, 2018," the letter said.
Along with Nelson, Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL), Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) signed the letter.
McGlockton, 28, was shot outside the Circle-A food store on July 19 by Drejka over a parking dispute. McGlockton later died at a hospital.
Drejka, who has a concealed weapons permit, was not charged by Pinellas County detectives, who said he was acting under the state's "stand your ground" law. Prosecutors are currently deciding whether to file charges.
Friday's letter was welcomed by Michelle Rayner, an attorney representing the McGlockton family.
“I am grateful for the support from the members of Congress who have called for the Department of Justice to investigate the murder of Markeis McGlockton," she said in a statement.
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