[Rockingham]

Zimmerman did not "initiate contact." Zimmerman was a property owner in the complex, which gave him an ownership interest in the common areas that Trayvon Martin was walking through while apparently casing the complex. In essence, Zimmerman was legally in the right and had a valid basis for regarding Martin with suspicion. Yet Zimmerman did not call to or stop Martin.

On the other hand, Trayvon Martin, a troubled teen who was drifting into the gangsta life, took Zimmerman's continued observation of him as justifying a sudden and severe attack on Zimmerman. Martin quickly put Zimmerman on the ground, pummelling his face MMA style, and slamming Zimmerman's head onto the concrete sidewalk. This put Zimmerman in fear of his life.

If Zimmerman had not been armed, he would have suffered a severe, potentially life-altering or lethal beating. In effect, Zimmerman did what many here insist the McMasters should have done, follow, observe, and call the cops.

[Trailerpark Badass]

Zimmerman initiated contact with Martin.