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Family members of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, as well as pundits, celebrities, and court observers had strong reactions to Saturday's not guilty verdict, and those reactions took various forms -- from joy and outrage to Shakespearean references and calls for peace.
"Hallelujah!" tweeted conservative lightning rod Ann Coulter, a Zimmerman supporter, just minutes after the not-guilty verdict was announced.
Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin's father, said in a tweet after the verdict's announcement:
"Even though I am broken hearted my faith is unshattered I WILL ALWAYS LOVE MY BABY TRAY. God blessed Me & Sybrina with Tray and even in his death I know my baby proud of the FIGHT we along with all of you put up for him GOD BLESS."
Trayvon Martin's brother, Jahvaris Fulton, said on Twitter: "Et tu America?" - a reference to the Latin phrase 'Et tu, Brute?' popularized by Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, which is known as an expression of betrayal.
The family attorney said the Martins were in church on Sunday.
"They are trying to make sense of it all, as many around the country are this morning," Benjamin Crump told TODAY. "Now they're just putting their faith in a higher authority."
Crump added that it wasn't clear at this point whether the family would file any further civil action against Zimmerman.
Outside of the Sanford, Fla., courthouse where the trial took place, anger was laced with confusion among the dozens of Martin supporters gathered there.
"How the hell did they find him not guilty," asked Andrew Perkins, 55, a black resident of Sanford, so mad that he was shaking. "He killed somebody and got away with murder."
Kayla Alexander, another Sanford resident, was more reserved. "The verdict is the verdict and it can't be changed, but I think as a community we have to pull closer together and try to make sense of everything," she told NBC's Ron Mott on TODAY.
Celebrities also reacted. Beyonce called at a Nashville concert for a moment of silence for Martin before singing the chorus of "I Will Always Love You" and then her hit "Halo." Rapper Young Jeezy released a song in Martin's memory and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons called for peace.
Among others calling for peace was the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who tweeted: "Avoid violence, it will lead to more tragedies. Find a way for self-construction not deconstruction in this time of despair."
Meanwhile, For Zimmerman's family, the verdict brought relief.
"Message from Dad: 'Our whole family is relieved. Today... I'm proud to be an American. God Bless America! Thank you for your prayers!'" Zimmerman's brother, Robert, said in Twitter post.
He was more reserved later said on CNN, saying, "I don't think this is a time for high-fiving."
Robert Zimmerman Jr., also noted that his brother may never escape the social consequences of the shooting.
"He's going to be looking over his shoulder the rest of his life," Zimmerman Jr. said during the interview on CNN.
Jurors deliberated for about 16 hours over two days before announcing late Saturday night that they had reached a verdict.
Defense attorney Mark O'Mara said in August 2012 that Zimmerman and his wife, Shellie, had been living "like a hermit" and weren't working because they feared for their safety.
"There still is a fringe element that wants revenge," O'Mara said. "They won't listen to a verdict of not guilty."
On the results of the jury's decision itself, O'Mara said his team was "ecstatic."
"We're ecstatic with the results. George Zimmerman was never guilty of anything except protecting himself in self-defense," he said.
NBC's Elizabeth Chuck contributed to this report. George Zimmerman has sued NBC Universal for defamation. The company strongly denies the allegation.
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