Trayvon Martin was a 17-year-old African American teenager who was shot and killed on February 26, 2012, in Sanford, Florida. He was walking home from a convenience store after purchasing snacks when he was confronted by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer. The incident sparked national outrage and discussions about race, gun laws, and self-defense. The case gained widespread media attention, leading to protests and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2013, Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges, which further fueled debates about racial profiling and justice in the United States.