Credit: Photo via Justice for Markeis McGlockton/Facebook

Credit: Photo via Justice for Markeis McGlockton/Facebook
It has nearly been a year since local 28-year-old man Markeis McGlockton was shot and killed by Michael Drejka in the parking lot after arguing over a handicap space on July 19, 2018. 

Initially, Drejka was covered under the stand your ground law, but three weeks after the shooting, the State Attorney's Office charged him with manslaughter. 

According to a recent article by Tampa Bay Times, Drejka's defense said the arrest was a result of political pressure. Drejka is expected to face trial next month, and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Local activist groups including Bay Area Dream Defenders, Civil Liberty Law and Answer Suncoast have organized a vigil for McGlockton set for this Friday, July 19, at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Clearwater.

The church is located at 2751 Sunset Point Rd., and will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

Mt. Zion has been working with Allendale United Methodist Church to assist in organizing the event. Attendees can expect speaker and performers to lead the vigil. 

After the vigil, the group will be invited to move to the corner of U.S. 19 and Sunset Rd. to remind locals and passerby of McGlockton's loss.

Answer Suncoast organizer, Ruth Beltran, told TBT that this vigil is a reminder that even a year later, McGlockton's family has yet to see a resolution to his murder.

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