'I SAW A MAN ON THE GROUND': MCLENDON’S CALL TO 911 (Trayvon Martin Murder)

[WI_DEM]

'I SAW A MAN ON THE GROUND': MCLENDON’S CALL TO 911

Eighth grader Austin McLendon was only 20 yards away when he heard Trayvon Martin being shot in the chest.

Since the February 26 shooting, the 13-year-old has been unable to sleep and said he can still hear the screams for help and the one resonating gunshot that took Mr Martin’s life.

He said: ‘I picture myself back over where I saw it and it sticks in the back of my mind.’



McLendon’s sister: My brother said someone got shot behind our house. I heard something and then my brother ran into the house.

Dispatcher: Is your brother there?

Sister: He’s next to me.

Dispatcher: Can you give him the phone?

Austin McLendon: I saw a man laying (sic) on the ground that needed help, that was screaming and then I was going to go over there to try to help him, but my dog got off the leash, so I went and got my dog, and then I heard a loud sound and then the screaming stopped.
Dispatcher: Did you see the person get shot?

Did you know the person that was shot, or did you see the person that had the gun?
Austin McLendon: No, I just heard a loud sound and then the screaming stopped.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2117219/Trayvon-Martin-shooting-Mother-claims-George-Zimmerman-killed-son-skin-colour.html#ixzz1pgVYnncF

[Politicalboi]

1. I would think Trayvon got shot

While on his back on the ground. We haven't heard about the evidence so far. This is going to be a big mess. Between if the kid was on the ground, how do they call that self defense, and let Zimmerman walk free. And the cell phone that wasn't answered for 3 days while on the body of the kid.

[LisaL]

11. I don't think this 13 year old knows which man he saw on the ground.

He doesn't know which one of them was screaming either.

[csziggy]

38. Trayvon was found lying face down with his hands under him

Almost as if he was on his knees begging not to be killed when he was shot in the chest.

[chowder66]

2. You know this has me wondering if there are adults who know more

but are afraid of saying anything because this guy is not in custody.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. Wouldn't you be?

With all the stories he's told, he's obviously unstable and he knows he did wrong. This poor kid will probably be the next victim.

[nanabugg]

5. "The poor kid?" "next victim?" WTF!!!!nt

[Ruby the Liberal]

9. You have a gunman loose in the neighborhood, facing

(at this time) no repercussion for a murder - would you let your child walk the street with a sign saying "I'm a witness"?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

12. Precisely what I was getting at.

[cbrown]

13. So proud of my son!!!!

I am Austin's mother and I have asked him if he wants to do every interview. He has been adamant about speaking up and wants desperately help spread awareness and help with the arrest of this murderer. He feels that talking about it helps him deal with the ordeal. Knowing that this guy is not in custody does make him "anxious", as he puts it. Yet STILL, he wants to help!!! I am PROUD of hi for doing what some adults in our neighborhood don't have the balls to do. So is the solution to keep him locked up in the house and pretend like nothing is happening? Or to let this murderer control him with fear???? What kind of message would that be sending? I am raising him to be strong, assertive, confident, and to fight for what is right. He is not testifying against a gang leader or serial killer who is out looking for him.....George Zimmerman is the one in hiding right now......a surprisingly smart decision on his part!!!

[X_Digger]

15. Thank your son from all of us. Sounds like a fine young man you have there. n/t

[Starry Messenger]

16. (hug) Welcome to DU.

Thank you for the report. What a great kid you have!

[Justice wanted]

19. Your son is a strong brave person.

[Ruby the Liberal]

20. I'm proud of him too

Give him this from all of us.

Welcome to DU - thanks for joining in and sharing Austin's story!

[malaise]

21. I'm very proud of you lady

Standing up for the truth is never easy but it's always right.
Hug your son for me. Tell him to write his thoughts - it must be hard and confusing for a 13 year old.

[alphafemale]

22. Welcome to DU

I love Mothers who teach their children well and then allow them to be brave.

[Fawke Em]

23. I'm proud of your son, too!

[Spazito]

24. I just heard your interview on Reverend Sharpton's show and...

it and you were incredible. Your integrity, honesty and courage and that of your son came across clearly and powerfully.

Hugs to you and your son and a big thank you for what you and he are doing, it is courageous and righteous.

[CatWoman]

25. your son rocks!!!

hugs to all of you!!!!

[mfcorey1]

29. +1000

[ecstatic]

27. Thank you!!! nt

[got root]

30. thank you so much for supporting him, and i have the very same feeling, and i am more than a

thousand miles away... i am VERY nervous that GZ is still prowling the neighborhood.

sheesh, hopefully with your son's eye witness testimony, and the recent videos of the murderer at the police station justice will soon put an end to that serious worry.

[Ilsa]

31. Life requires a lot of courage.

It sounds like your son is up to the task. You are right to be proud of him and yourself in doing such a great job in raising him!

Welcome to DU, the best site , the best community on the internet!

[Jackpine Radical]

32. I don't know how you found us

but welcome. This is a great place to hang out, and it just got greater when you joined us.

We salute your courage, and that of your son.

[Ecumenist]

33. God bless you CBrown and bless your wonderful child and son. He's got millions of Americans

pulling for him and watching out for him and all the rest of the heroic folks who are trying to do the right thing. He setting an example for EVERYONE on what courage and doing the right thing is. I'n on the other coast but I want to welcome you and tell you who happy we are to have you here..

[Booster]

34. I am truly extremely proud of both you and your son. If Zimmerman is found guilty, I hope it's your

son's testimony that helped the jurors make their decision. Bless your entire family.

[TorchTheWitch]

37. I'm very proud of your son, too!

I'm very glad you signed up here and are speaking out for your son. You have every reason to be proud of him, and I'm sure everyone here is proud of him as well. You've done a truly admirable job in raising him. In all honesty, as an adult I'm not sure I would have the courage to speak out publically or not, and looking back on my early teen years I know I wouldn't have at that age, so I'm rather in awe of the courage your son is displaying especially at his tender age.

Austin, you're a REALLY awesome kid with one heck of a great mom, and I wish I could hug you both!

[csziggy]

39. You have every reason to be pround of your children

I was impressed when I listened to the 911 call from them, then the interviews Austin did were great.

We need more citizens like them and fewer paranoids like George Zimmerman.

Welcome to DU!

[Oilwellian]

40. Welcome cbrown

I hope your son will be OK after witnessing this horrendous event. You should be proud of his bravery and desire to do what is right. He is admired by many.

[myrna minx]

41. I'm so proud of your son too. All of my best to you and your family.

[magical thyme]

43. your son is very courageous

You should be very proud of him. Thank you, and welcome.

[Mendocino]

44. "Fear not the path

of truth for the lack of people walking on it"

Robert Kennedy

[chowder66]

7. Most likely yes

this guy hunted this kid and if anyone saw anything I think they might be fearful for their lives as well. I'm hoping that I'm wrong and that everyone is talking. I know some are but I find it hard to believe that people just listened and didn't look. It could have been their own family members, friends, neighbors, teenage kids, etc. Odd.

[JI7]

4. of course, now it's about the cops saving their own asses

because of their refusal to go after someone for murdering a black kid.

Zimmerman needs to be charged with Murder and a lot of others in law enforcement need to be charged for covering it up.

[yardwork]

6. I am heartsick about this. I haven't slept well for days.

I hope that this poor child gets some psychological help, but really, what can help? Just listening to the 911 tapes has upset me greatly. I can't imagine what the witnesses feel, especially a 13 year old child.

The flippant, callous words of the police chief make me furious.

[cbrown]

14. yes

Austin is in counseling and doing as well as can be expected.

[yardwork]

17. I'm glad that he is in counseling. If you are family, my heart goes out to you.

I'm the mother of two sons. I can't say anything more. I'm starting to tear up again.

[uppityperson]

18. Best wishes to him and your family and you.

I am heartsick about the whole thing and am glad that he didn't manage to get between them and get shot himself. I hope for peace for you also, imagining you may have had similar thoughts. I am so sorry about the whole thing, best wishes for your son, you, your family.

[tabatha]

36. You have a very brave son - and hopefully he will eventually get to know that his testimony

will be a key factor in getting justice for Trayvon.

I saw you on TV and was enormously impressed, and with your lawyer.

[myrna minx]

42. I'm so grateful for that he's in counseling. I can't imagine how haunted he must feel.

All of my best to you and your family.

[yodermon]

8. If one were to walk past Zimmerman on the street tomorrow, and shoot him, then one would have

a defense under the Stand Your Ground law, because Zimmerman's very presence is a threat. One might claim.

SYG simply codifies wild-west vigilante justice.

[slackmaster]

26. One who made such a claim would be a complete fool

[sabrina 1]

10. There is a video of an interview with the 13 year old at this link.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videogallery/68844192/News/Video-Teen-witnessed-part-of-Trayvon-Zimmerman-confrontation

He sounds so depressed. Wondering if he could have helped or if it could one day be him. I think his mother said he has been very upset since it happened.

[ecstatic]

28. His dog running away probably saved his own life

There's no telling what Zimmerman would have done to another "suspicious" looking boy appearing. I'm really glad that his family has come forward to talk about what he saw.

[Ecumenist]

35. That's EXACTLY what I said when I first heard Austin speak last week. Thank God the dog ran away he

had tried to help Trayvon, there would have been two dead black kids.