Zimmerman, 30, was arrested by the Seminole County Sheriff's Office at about 1 p.m. today, authorities said.
He was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility.
"When we arrived, the victim indicated that she and George Zimmerman were having a verbal dispute and at that time she alleged that he had broken had broken a table and pointed a long-barrel shotgun at her," Seminole County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Dennis Lemma said at a news conference.
She managed to work her way to the front door of the residence and call 911 on her cell phone.
"At that time, he actually pushed her out of the front of the residence and barricaded the door with some furniture," Lemma said.
When authorities arrived, the girlfriend gave officers a key to the home and they were able to open the door, push away the furniture and confront Zimmerman.
He was unarmed when police got to him and "rather passive," Lemma said. He offered no resistance and was taken into custody.
