A Detroit jury found Theodore Wafer guilty of the second-degree murder of 19-year-old Renisha McBride Thursday in a case steeped in racial tension.
According to law enforcement, McBride crashed her car near Wafer's house last November. The crash happened early one morning and McBride was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. The prosecution says that's when she began looking for help. Wafer's layers say he heard loud knocking on his doors which made him fear for his life. He then fatally shot McBride in the face through his screen door.
In a statement to reporters McBride's parents shared their skepticism to Wafer's self-defense claim: "He said he came to the door mad...He should have called 911."
Some are calling this verdict a victory against racism as many believe race played a major role in McBride's death.
And many other headlines took a similar focus: "Renisha McBride and Evolution of Black-Female Stereotype,""What the Renisha McBride case says about race" and "No charges made in Detroit shooting of unarmed black teenager"
Supporters for the victim created "Justice for Renisha McBride" Facebook and Tumblr pages advocating for justice and the end of "stand your ground" laws.
Many supporters of McBride have drawn parallels between her death and the deaths of fellow black teenagers Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin.
Michael Dunn was charged with 1st degree murder for firing into a vehicle containing teenagers, including 17-year-old Jordan Davis, after an argument about their music being too loud. Davis was killed in the incident.
The case went to trial earlier this year and Dunn was found guilty of several counts of attempted second degree murder, but the jury did not reach a decision on the 1st degree murder charge.
In a similar case, George Zimmerman was found not guilty last year of 2nd degree murder after shooting 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman said he chased Martin because he thought he looked suspicious and then shot him during a physical altercation.
Wafer faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced August 21.
