Following protests at Georgia’s state capitol, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has formally announced the arrests of Gregory and Travis McMichael for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
Ahmaud’s story gained national attention in recent weeks. The 25-year-old man was chased down, shot and killed by 64-year-old Gregory McMichael and his 34-year-old son Travis McMichael, while jogging in a neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia. The fatal shooting happened in February but by May, there were still no arrests in his case, prompting his family to demand justice by sharing his story.
One prosecutor, who later recused himself from the case, claimed the men were protected by a state statute in Ahmaud’s fatal shooting because they felt “threatened.” But many people questioned how they felt threatened when they chased after Ahmaud, who the McMichaels claimed to believe was possibly a burglary suspect. There was never any evidence that he burglarized any homes.
GBI said the McMichael men were both charged with murder and aggravated assault. They were taken into custody Thursday and will be booked into the Glynn County Jail for the February 23rd shooting.
GBI said this case is being investigated in partnership with District Attorney Tom Durden, who just two days ago, formally requested the GBI investigate Ahmaud’s death.
Video of Ahmaud’s murder was released on Tuesday.
In the video, Ahmaud can be seen jogging down a residential street, in a white T-shirt and shorts. He was met by a man who was standing outside of a truck in the middle of the road. For a brief second, the frame points in the direction of the grass and Ahmaud cannot be seen. But the camera refocuses and that’s when you can see Ahmaud now in front of the truck, in a tussle with the man that was originally standing outside of the vehicle, as Ahmaud was running.
We promise to keep you posted on Ahmaud Arbery’s case and his family’s quest to get justice.
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