George Zimmerman says he was punched in the face at a Sanford restaurant over the weekend.
Zimmerman told the Orlando Sentinel he was at Gators Riverside Grille near Sanford when the incident happened.
He called 911 and told dispatchers that he was explaining he shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old, in self-defense in 2012, WFTV reports.
He said two men walked up to him, one asking if he was George Zimmerman.
Zimmerman said the man “recognized (him and) said he was a big fan.”
“(He) even asked to see my ID ’cause he couldn’t believe it was me,” Zimmerman said.
The second man then walked up and asked “You’re bragging about that?”
Zimmerman told dispatchers the man then punched him in the face.
He told dispatchers “he’s going to kill me. You need to send like three or four cops,” WFTV reports.
Zimmerman told the Sentinel he believes the incident was a miscommunication. He said the man was apparently intoxicated.
He said he believes the man thought he was Matthew Apperson, who was accused of shooting at Zimmerman during a road-rage confrontation.
Zimmerman said the man told him to go away and accused him of “shooting George Zimmerman,” prompting the fight.
Gators Riverside owner Ed Winters told a different story.
He said the incident started when Zimmerman approached a shirtless patron who had just come in from the St. John’s River and told him he didn’t like one of his tattoos. After a few words, Zimmerman walked back to his table.
A friend of the first man to approach Zimmerman – who was at the restaurant with family celebrating a 12-year-old’s birthday – walked over to Zimmerman to confront him, Winters said.
The two argued, but no punches were thrown, Winters said. The two shoved each other, but Winters said claims of anything further are “blown out of proportion.”
Winters said Zimmerman called 911, prompting a full-fledged response from the police and fire department.
Zimmerman had been to the restaurant at least once before the incident, but Winters said Gators Riverside asked him not to come back after the debacle.
“Everywhere this guy goes he causes controversy,” Winters said. “You’d think he’d keep a low profile.”
chayes@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5493
