Kemp: 'Georgians deserve answers' in Ahmaud Arbery killing
MACON, Ga. -- State leaders in Georgia are speaking out on the killing of a man shot while running in Brunswick.
Ahmaud Arbery was running in the Satilla Shores neighborhood on February 23, when he was fatally shot by two men who followed him in a pickup truck.
Gregory McMichael reported to authorities in Glynn County that he recognized Arbery from recent burglaries in the area. When he saw Arbery running through Satilla Shores, McMichael says he and his son Travis left home to follow Arbery with a shotgun and a pistol.
Video recently released shows McMichael and his son following Arbery in a truck. A fight followed, and Arbery was fatally shot.
Amid national outcry and a trending #JusticeForAhmaud movement, Governor Brian Kemp on Tuesday tweeted "Georgians deserve answers. State law enforcement stands ready to ensure justice is served."
Senator Kelly Loeffler released a statement Wednesday morning:
“I am deeply concerned by the troubling death of Ahmaud Arbery. I join Georgians across the state in calling for swift action and immediate answers in the wake of this tragedy,” she said. “With the Georgia Bureau of Investigation now committed to assisting local law enforcement, I anticipate a thorough and rigorous investigation will be conducted, and that it will deliver much-needed clarity and justice in this case. My prayers are with the Arbery family for their devastating loss.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into Arbery's killing as well as threats made against both the Glynn County Police Department and others involved in the case.
And Glynn County District Attorney Tom Durden confirmed Tuesday he's opened an investigation into Arbery's death. Durden stated he intends for the case to be presented to a Grand Jury for the consideration of criminal charges against Gregory and Travis McMichael.
