George Zimmerman has told friends he is lucky to be alive after narrowly avoiding being shot during an alleged road rage incident.

The former neighborhood volunteer told a friend 'It just wasn't my time to go.'

But the near miss has shaken up the 38-year-old so much that he is now considering leaving Florida for good to start a new life in another state.

Police in Lake Mary, Florida, are investigating the incident in which a bullet entered Zimmerman's car through the passenger window and lodge in the roof of his SUV.

Zimmerman suffered minor injuries from flying glass - but has acknowledged to friends he could have been killed.

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Shot: The bullet hole can be seen in the passenger window; Zimmerman suffered injuries from flying glass

Face-to-face: Matthew Apperson, pictured left, shot at Zimmerman, pictured right in court in 2013, following an altercation on Monday afternoon. Last year, Apperson accused Zimmerman of threatening him at a red light

Wife: Liza Apperson leaving the family run business in Lake Mary close to the scene where her husband Matthew Apperson shot at George Zimmerman in alleged road rage incident.

Reported: Police were called to Apperson's home address after a neighbor raised concerns over a dead squirrel she found in her back garden. She told officers he objected to her feeding them and thought the dead animal was 'a sign'

Matthew Apperson,36, fired the shot after claiming he had been threatened by Zimmerman who waved a gun at him as he drove through Lake Mary, Florida.

The pair have a history of confrontation with Apperson claiming Zimmerman threatened to kill him last September. He later accused Zimmerman of stalking him although no charges were ever filed in either incident.

Friends of Zimmerman, who has gone into hiding since the shooting, said he has been left badly shaken by the incident.

'George said it wasn't his time to go,' said close friend Doug Sifford.

'He said God was watching over him that day, but he is shaken.'

Since being acquitted of the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2013 Zimmerman has continued to live in Florida.

But Monday's incident could be the turning point that forces him to leave with Virginia, where he grew up, an alternative place to settle.

Several friends interviewed by Daily Mail Online say Zimmerman is always looking over his shoulder fearful that someone will try to attack him.

Since being acquitted he has seen his marriage fail, not been able to find a job and suffers panic attacks when out in public.

Supportive: 'I have been married to my husband for 11 years,' said his wife Liza (above with Apperson)

Mother's love: 'Matt is a good man and I'm sorry this is happening to him,' said Janet White (above), Apperson's mother

The friend said:'George tries to stay indoors as much as possible. He sweats an awful lot when he is around other people as he is so nervous.

'He does not have much of a life and he is just existing. He has not been able to get a proper job and is relying in the generosity of friends who give him odd jobs to do.

'He cannot work with the public as he is too recognizable.'

The friend said Zimmerman is also painfully aware that there is a bounty of $10,000 on his head from the Black Panthers.

'Imagine waking up everyday knowing that there is a price on your head and someone, somewhere will want to kill you.

'Whatever the rights and wrongs, George was acquitted by a jury of his peers. He was found innocent but there are people who will not accept that.'

It is not only Zimmerman who has suffered in the aftermath of the trial.

His parents Roberts and Gladys were forced to flee their home in Lake Mary after film director Spike Lee, and then comedian Roseanne Barr, made their address public.

The $450,000 house that was to have been their retirement home remains empty with decaying newspapers and leaflets on the driveway.

The couple still live in the Florida area but at an undisclosed address.

The incident involving their son took place less than two miles from their former home.

Zimmerman has maintained his innocence and claimed he was the victim.

His lawyer Don West said Apperson began flashing his headlights at Zimmerman who attempted to defuse the situation by driving away.

He claims Apperson, who Daily Mail Online revealed has a string of arrests for driving offences, followed him as he did a U-turn.

Precursor: This was the police report written 24 hours before the shooting incident. It showed that one of Matthew Apperson's neighbors was concerned a shot squirrel on her property was 'a sign'

Threat: This police record from 2013 detailed how police investigated when a phone canvasser heard Matthew Apperson appear to threaten to kill a trespasser with his .357 Magnum

As he pulled alongside Apperson fired a single shot from his .357 Magnum gun into the passengers window.

He claims he acted in self defence as Zimmerman waved his Glock pistol at him.

Friends of Zimmerman and his lawyer have cast doubt on the claim as they said both cars had heavily tinted windows making it near impossible to see a gun.

Police recovered two guns from Apperson's Infinity car while Zimmerman had a Glock. Both men had concealed carry permits.

Friends of Zimmerman said he is forced to be armed at all times as he fears for his life.

'You have to ask yourself why George would provoke a situation like this,'

said the friend.

'He wants quiet life and although he carries a gun does no flash it around. He is now thinking twice about staying in Florida. His family are here but all he seems to get is trouble.'

Police in Lake Mary have appealed for witnesses to the shooting with friends of Zimmerman hoping someone will come forward to confirm his story that he did a U-turn to escape the attention of Apperson.

'If that happens his claim that she shot George in self defence falls apart,' said the friend who asked not to be named.

'How can it be self defence when he is no longer under threat. Any 'stand your ground' defence also fails as the threat was over.'

Trouble: Apperson (mugshots above) has been arrested at least six times before, and was described as 'odd' and 'not stable' by a neighbor

Taken away: The truck that had been carrying Zimmerman is seen near the police station

While Zimmerman has his supporters there are many who have little sympathy for his plight.

Social media and blogs were full of vitriol towards him with many expressing regret that the shot did not find its target.

Once police have completed their investigation a file will be sent to the State Attorney's Office who will decided what charges, if any, will be filed.

Apperson could face an assault with a deadly weapon charge that carries a sentence of up to 10 years.

He has refused to comment since the shooting.

His wife Liza was seen at the offices of the family firm where Apperson works as a paralegal but refused to make any comment.

In a press conference on the day of the shooting she said she hoped the truth would prevail.

Apperson was the subject of a police call out the day before firing at Zimmerman.

Police were called by his next-door neighbor who told officers he was acting 'strange' and she was concerned for her safety. She had found a squirrel apparently shot by a BB gun and thought it was 'a sign'.

Other neighbors said Apperson had appeared 'irrational and unstable' in the days before the incident in Lake Mary, Florida.

One said: 'He was very odd and in the days before all this happened, not stable. When I saw what happened I was not surprised.

His next neighbor Sharee Rivera felt so threatened she felt compelled to call the police last Sunday.

The official report of the call out written by officer Brad Dula details the neighbor dispute.

It says: 'Upon my arrival, I met with Sharee Rivera who told me the following.

'Sharee has always had trouble with her neighbor Matt Apperson. She advised that he says and does strange things and has yelled at her in the past.

'On this date she observed a dead squirrel in backyard that had an apparent BB gun wound to its neck. She advised that Matt hates the fact that she often feeds the squirrels and birds in the rear of the building and she believes that this is a sign.

'Matt has sold his house and is moving out in two weeks. I advised Sharee that I would document the incident in case anything happens during the next two weeks.'

Less than 24 hours after the report was filed Apperson was involved in the shooting.