The execution-style slaying of Ahmaud Arbery has startled Georgians and much of the nation even as they cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigations announced that the father-son duo who shot him are in custody.
2 Men Arrested In Slaying Of Ahmaud Arbery
“On May 7th, 2020, the GBI arrested Gregory McMichael, age 64, and Travis McMichael, age 34, for the death of Ahmaud Arbery,” the GBI news release says. “They were both charged with murder and aggravated assault. The McMichaels were taken into custody and will be booked into the Glynn County Jail.”
Earlier in the day, Gov. Brian Kemp weighed in, calling the death of Arbery “absolutely horrific.” Kemp expressed support for the GBI investigation as it seeks the truth.
Georgia Gov. Kemp: Ahmaud Arbery Slaying ‘Absolutely Horrific’
Cell phone video taken on February 23 shows Arbery of Brunswick jogging down a neighborhood street when he is confronted by two armed men, one of whom is seen in a truck.
Officials in Glynn County in South Georgia have been playing hot potato with the case, which was largely unknown until the video circulated on social media earlier this week.
Now justice is in the hands of a grand jury, which has to decide whether to file charges. The truth though is that during a pandemic, it is highly unlikely a grand jury will even be seated.
As public attention and anger mounts, GBI Director Vic Reynolds told reporters that he is putting three investigators on the case.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he reviewed the video of Ahmaud Arbery's death, calling it "absolutely horrific."
"I have full confidence in Vic Reynolds and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation… to find the truth." https://t.co/zOzQzOK0gK pic.twitter.com/Vnldldn3MB
— ABC News (@ABC) May 7, 2020
“Earlier this week I watched the video,” Kemp said, adding that “Georgians deserve the truth.”
For all two many, especially in the South, the visual of a black man running while two white men with guns follow in hot pursuit harkens back to a time when freedom meant different things to different people.
Arbery’s family is calling for the arrest of the two men, who are father and son.
Gregory and Travis McMichael have told authorities that they thought Arbery fit the description of a burglar who had been seen in the area recently.
Wanda Cooper Jones, told reporters her son was just jogging like he does every day.
“I saw my son come into the world,” Jones said, according to CBS News. “And seeing him leave the world, it’s not something that I’ll want to see ever.”
“These men were vigilantes, they were a posse and they performed a modern lynching in the middle of the day,” Lee Merritt, an attorney for Arbery’s mother, was quoted as saying.
On the video, you can see Travis McMichael struggle with Arbery for the gun before you hear a gunblast, then another one to the chest.
In the police report, McMichael reportedly says that Arbery “began to violently attack” him, leaving him no choice but to shoot.
The truth, when it comes out, may be an entirely different matter.
Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms posted on Twitter about the slaying, saying: “Honestly and selfishly, I didn’t want to watch the murder of #AhmaudArbery. I didn’t want to feel that nauseating churn of my stomach I get each time “it” happens. But that feeling doesn’t compare to the loss and sadness of his and too many other families. May justice be served.”
Also on social media, Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri posed many of the questions about the case that everyone wants to know.
Among Dupri’s queries was “Who filmed this?” Listen to what he has to say:
@jermainedupri Jermaine Dupri Speaks On The Murder of Ahmaud Aubrey.
Justice For 🇺🇸Ahmaud Aubrey"🇺🇸
He Must Be Respected And Appreciated and His Family Compensated. 🇺🇸
And The People That Done This Hate Crime Must Be Arrested.#HR40#AhmaudAubrey pic.twitter.com/xWbtRa9tYH— Step Seven Justice SSJ (@stepseven7) May 7, 2020
Meanwihile, people around the nation planned to run for Arbery, who was an avid jogger. Activists and others used the hashtag #IRunwithAhmaud to show their support.
Americans Run With Ahmaud
They showed their support in the following cities:
From Detroit:
Today was brutal, but I ran my 2.23 miles (I know it says 2.24) for Ahmaud Arbery. Ahmaud would have turned 26 years old today. 🙏🏾 #RunWithMaud #IRunwithAhmaud #JusticeForAhmaudArbery pic.twitter.com/Gq2f56Wxnc
— Aya M. Waller-Bey, MPhil (@Aya__Marie) May 8, 2020
From Kentucky:
#IRunwithAhmaud Walked 2.23 miles in honor of Ahmaud Arbery and to express love and support for his parents and loved ones.
Lexington, KY pic.twitter.com/cjqqwCC0fn— Robert Antrobus (@antrobus_robert) May 8, 2020
From Tennessee:
Hailey and I went out this morning to #IRunwithAhmaud. Today would be his birthday and he was gunned down by Georgia racists who were not arrested until millions saw video of these murderers gun down a young man jogging in his neighborhood. Love & strength to his family. pic.twitter.com/yCxDK6gPhS
— #IRunwithMaud (@VoteGloriaJ) May 8, 2020
From Minnesota:
I ran 2.23+ miles tonight for Ahmaud Arbery whose life was cut short when he was shot & killed while going for a run on 2/23. Let us run & live life w/kindness, compassion & love for everyone, esp those who have been mistreated, hurt, misjudged, & discriminated. #IRunWithAhmaud pic.twitter.com/8g49PpWNY4
— Michael Benjamin, MSW, LICSW (@mbenjamin_msw) May 8, 2020
From Ohio:
I will not be afraid to run through my city, state, or country by myself with my head up at anytime of day. I tip my cap to all my black brothers this morning. With heavy hearts and deep thoughts WE PRESS ON. ✊🏾 … WE ALL PRESS ON! #irunwithahmaud #iwillruninmycountry pic.twitter.com/povzeVrj1f
— Micah A. Mills (@Coachm_m) May 7, 2020
The GBI says the investigations are all active and ongoing. If anyone has information related to these cases, please contact the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).
Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency. More definitive advice on health, please visit CDC.gov. Here are some helpful links: