Pictured
AHMAUD ARRESTS
A FATHER and son were arrested on Thursday over the shooting of an unarmed black jogger after video of the killing sparked outrage.
Cellphone footage from February appears to show suspects Gregory and Travis McMichael "ambush" Ahmaud Arbery, 25, on a Georgia street before a confrontation and the fatal shooting.
The McMichaels were both charged with murder and aggravated assault, according to local reports.
The pair were arrested at gunpoint by a dozen cops in bulletproof vests at their suburban home in Brunswick on Thursday evening, reports MailOnline.
Officers armed with assault rifles swarmed the $280,000 two-bed property, leading the father and son away in handcuffs.
Gregory, 64 - a former Glynn County cop - and his son Travis, 34, were taken to the county jail, WXGA reported.
District Attorney Tom Durden plans for a grand jury to hear the evidence against them.
Georgia courts won't reconvene until June due to the coronavirus pandemic, however.
The arrest comes after:
- Jogger Ahmaud Arbery is shot on February 23 by two white gunmen
- These men are believed to be Gregory and Travis McMichael
- The McMichaels claim they thought Arbery was a burglary suspect
- Footage of Arbery's death is leaked on May 5, prompting mass outrage
- His family say the killing was a "hate crime" and demand justice
- Gregory, 64, and his son Travis, 34, are arrested on May 7
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed it would be investigating "threats against GCPD and individuals involved in the active investigation."
Speaking about the arrests, S. Lee Merritt, an attorney representing Arbery's parents described it as a "huge, huge step but it's only a first step on a very long road to justice."
"A case like this breeds mistrust within the community," he said. "It hurts the people involved, it hurts the law enforcement community, the prosecutorial community, the black community, everyone."
No arrests were made until footage of the killing was leaked this week, which prompted the GBI to take over the case and sparked a national outcry from politicians and celebrities.
Presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden demanded justice for Arbery, as did Kamala Harris, Biden's potential running mate.
President Trump acknowledged on Thursday that the death was "a very sad thing."
Gregory told detectives at the time of the killing they believed Arbery was involved in "recent home burglaries," which is why they followed him, reports NBC News.
The 64-year-old claimed they were going to make a citizens arrest but Arbery started a fight with Travis, who feared for his life.
Arbery was then shot twice, before staggering off and collapsing in the Satilla Shores neighborhood.
The victim's family have since spoken out, describing his death as a "lynching" and "murder."
Brunswick defense attorney Alan Tucker, who first shared the video, said he did it "because my community was being ripped apart by erroneous accusations and assumptions."
During a press conference streamed on on First Coast News, the victim's family's attorney Lee Merritt said "these men were not performing any police function or any duty as citizens of Georgia."
"These men were vigilantes, they were performing a lynching in the middle of the day," the lawyer said.
Arbery's mom, Wanda Cooper Jones, said he "was his sister and brother's keeper."
"His spirit was good," she said. "He was a yes ma'am and no ma'am type of fellow."
Arbery's dad described the slaying as a "hate crime" during the emotional conference.
GBI got involved when the disturbing video emerged, apparently showing the slaying in broad daylight.
These men were vigilantes, they were performing a lynching in the middle of the day.
Lawyer Lee Merritt
Arbery can be seen struggling with one gunman who exited the vehicle before a scream can be heard and the fatal shots were fired.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said he's sure the GBI will "find the truth" as they investigate the contentious case.
"Earlier this week, I watched the video depicting Mr Arbery's last moments alive," the Republican governor said during an Atlanta press briefing.
"I can tell you it's absolutely horrific, and Georgians deserve answers."
Gregory reportedly claimed Arbey started to "violently attack" his son before they began struggling with the shotgun.
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This is the point Travis fired "a second later there was a second shot."
Two District Attorneys have been recused from the case due to conflicts.
The second DA, George E. Barnhill, previously argued there wasn't probable cause for charges against the McMichaels, who had a right to carry firearms and pursue a suspected robber under state law.
Barnhill maintained that Travis lawfully shot Arbery because he was "allowed to use deadly force to protect himself" in Georgia.
