Rick Scott Calls for FDLE to Aid in Trayvon Martin Investigation

Gov. Rick Scott has asked Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey to assist the 18th Judicial Circuit state attorneys office with the investigation of the death of Trayvon Martin.

Martin, 17, was shot about 7:15 p.m. Feb. 26 while walking through a Sanford gated community, returning from a 7-Eleven, where he'd bought Skittles and a can of Arizona iced tea, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Sanford police say they cannot arrest George Zimmerman because he claims self-defense and evidence backs that up, including witness accounts and what officers saw when they arrived: Zimmerman with a bloody nose, the Sentinel reported

The circumstances surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin have caused significant concern within the Sanford community and the state, Scott stated in a letter to Bailey.

I understand an investigation was initiated by the Sanford Police Department and referred to the 18th Judicial Circuit state attorney's office. I believe it is appropriate that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement provide any assistance necessary to fully investigate this matter.

Accordingly, please ensure that FDLE offers and provides the appropriate resources to the state attorney's office as they continue their investigation.

The shooting has spawned protests across the state, including one at the Florida A&M University campus in Tallahassee on Monday, with students announcing plans to call for Scott to take action at the Capitol on Tuesday. The incident has also attracted Rev. Al Sharpton to Sanford.