What Happened to Ahmaud Arbery?
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Christopher Bruce, Georgia ACLU policy director, joins ABC News Live as the trial continues for the men charged in Ahmaud Arbery’s death.
In the afternoon, on February 23, 2020 Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old black man was jogging through the Satilla Shores neighborhood — minutes away from his own home — in Brunswick, Georgia when two local white men — Gregory (64) and his son Travis McMichael (34) — shot and killed him. According to a letter from one of the District Attorneys involved in the case, Bryan William, another white man, filmed portions of the killing.
In their statements to police, Gregory McMichael and his son Travis McMichael claim they shot Ahmaud Arbery, who was unarmed, in self-defense as they were attempting to apprehend him.
The McMichaels alleged there had been “several break-ins” in the area, and when they saw Ahmaud Arbery jogging in the neighborhood, they assumed him to be the alleged suspect.
Gregory McMichael and his son, armed at least two firearms, pursued Ahmaud Arbery in a vehicle. Gregory McMichael stated Ahmaud Arbery “attack[ed]” him and his son, resulting in Travis McMichael firing at least one shot. Ahmaud Arbery died a few minutes later.
No evidence has emerged indicating that Ahmaud Arbery had committed burglary or any other crime, including attacking the McMichaels, leading up to the fatal confrontation with the McMichaels.
Wanda Cooper, Arbery’s mother, told CNN that when police notified her of her son’s death, police told her that her son had been involved in a burglary, and that there had been a confrontation between her son and the homeowner as well as a struggle over a gun.
Timeline of Events
Gregory and Travis McMichael shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, who was jogging during the day in Brunswick, Georgia.
- Brunswick District Attorney Jackie Johnson recused herself.
- Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney George E. Barnhill took over the case.
Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney George E. Barnhill recused himself from the case and requested a new prosecutor be in charge of it.
Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tom Durden took over the case.
The Glynn County Police Department requested the assistance of the GBI in investigating allegations of threats allegedly made against the GCPD and individuals involved in the case.
- District Attorney Tom Durden released a statement that the case should be presented to a grand jury for consideration of criminal charges.
- A video of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery was widely leaked and shared online.
- The GBI announced that the Glynn County police Department requested the GBI Kingsland Office investigate the release of the video of the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery.
- District Attorney Tom Durden requested the GBI investigate the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery.
The GBI initiated their investigation into the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.
The GBI arrested Gregory McMichael and Travis McMichael on charges of murder and aggravated assault in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery.
Gregory and Travis McMichael were denied bond.
Georgia Attorney General (AG) Chris Carr, requested the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to conduct an investigation into the handling of the Ahmaud Arbery case.
- The DOJ stated that they are weighing whether to bring federal hate crimes charges against the two men accussed in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.
- AG Chris Carr requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation launch an investigation into the actions of the Brunswick and the Waycross Judicial Circuits District Attorneys.
- AG Chris Carr appointed Cobb County Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joyette Holmes to lead the prosecution of Gregory and Travis McMichael for the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.
The GBI announced they were initiating an investigation into the conduct of DA Johnson and DA Barnhill.
The GBI arrested William “Roddie” Bryan Jr., the man who filmed the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery. He has been charged with Felony Murder and Criminal Attempt to Commit False Imprisonment.
Glynn County Judge Wallace E. Harrell ruled there was enough probable cause to proceed with charging Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryan Jr. on all charges related to the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery.
The three men involved in the murdered of Ahmaud Arbery were indicted by a Grand Jury on malice and felony murder charges.
Travis and Greg McMichael were denied bond.
The US Department of Justice announced that Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan were charged with federal hate crimes and attempted kidnapping in connection with the murder of Ahmaud Arbery.