Shooting of Young Teen in New Orleans Sparks Debate

Incident Happened Shortly After the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman Case Wrapped Up

New Orleans (CNN) — A critically wounded 14-year-old, shot by a homeowner in an early morning encounter, now lies in the middle of a passionate debate between two vocal groups — one calling for a stop to violence and one defending the right of self-defense.

The shooting, happened just before 2 a.m. July 26 in a gentrified neighborhood in New Orleans. It came less than two weeks after George Zimmerman’s acquittal in a similar case in Florida.

Police say Marshall Coulter, who was unarmed, hopped a 6-foot fence surrounding the driveway and courtyard area of the home of Merritt Landry, who is now charged with attempted second-degree murder.

Landry, a city building inspector who has since been put on leave, was home with a pregnant wife and toddler. He shot once at Coulter, hitting him in the…