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SANFORD, Fla., June 18 (UPI) -- A Florida man accused of shooting at George Zimmerman in an apparent road-rage incident has been charged with attempted murder, prosecutors said Thursday. The State's Attorney's Office filed the charges for Matthew Apperson, 36.
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Apperson allegedly shot at Zimmerman's truck window May 11 after the two allegedly had a confrontation. Zimmerman was injured when a piece of glass from the window struck him in the face.
Apperson said Zimmerman was threatening him with a gun, while Zimmerman said the other man was stalking him outside his house.
"Our law enforcement community and the State attorney's office works vigorously to ensure people may travel our busy streets, going about their business, without fear. Every resident and visitor to Seminole County deserves this freedom," State Attorney Phil Archer said.
In addition to attempted murder, Apperson faces charges of shooting into an occupied vehicle and aggravated assault with a firearm. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
"My reaction to these charges is a pronounced shrug," Apperson's attorney, Michael LaFay, told CNN. "I've reviewed the charges and they don't change the facts. The prosecutors have put their heads together and tried to contemplate what could be the most serious charges, but that doesn't really change anything. This is a case of self-defense."
In 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted in second-degree murder for shooting Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
