Story Archive

Not Quite Human

A homeless man in DeLand, Fla., called police after a black SUV drove by and people inside shot him several times with a BB gun. Travis Martin, 35, had been digging through the trash at a car wash at 1:15 a.m. trying to find food. Police arrived while a second attack was in progress. Martin pointed out the vehicle for officers, shouting “That’s them!” Police stopped driver Amina El-Zayat, 36, the owner of the car wash. Her three boys told police she had told them to shoot any homeless people they saw to “scare” the “bums” away from her business, and drove while they shot at Martin through the windows, police say. Officers found two pellet rifles inside, including one fully automatic that could shoot 15 pellets at a time, and 5,000 pellets. El-Zayat was charged with aggravated battery, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and child neglect. It’s unclear whether the boys, all juveniles, will be charged. (RC/WFTV Orlando, WESH Orlando) ...Maybe some community service time would be in order — at the local homeless shelter.