This archive report was first published on 18 November 2021.
On February 23, 2020, a tragic event unfolded in the Satilla Shores neighborhood outside Brunswick, Georgia. Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was chased and fatally shot by Travis McMichael, a 35-year-old white man, who was among three defendants facing murder charges in Arbery's death.
According to a video recording of the incident, McMichael and his father, Gregory McMichael, pursued Arbery in two trucks. When McMichael got out of his truck, he and Arbery struggled over McMichael's shotgun.
McMichael testified that he suspected Arbery was a burglar who was potentially armed, despite no evidence being presented that Arbery had a weapon with him. He described the encounter as a 'life or death' situation and claimed he was trying to 'de-escalate' the situation by pointing his gun at Arbery.
McMichael said he shot Arbery because he was overpowering him, and he was still fighting for control of the shotgun. He testified that he was in shock after the shooting and described the encounter as 'the most traumatic experience of my life.'
When asked by his lawyer if he had left his house that day intending to kill Arbery, McMichael replied, 'I did not.'
Prosecutors have characterized the men's decision to pursue Arbery as one based on flimsy assumptions about Arbery and his presence in Satilla Shores.
