The man who filmed the killing of Ahmaud Arbery has been charged with murder, bringing the total number of people responsible for his horrendous death to three.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said 50-year-old William “Roddie” Bryan was arrested on Thursday on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment.
Bryan, along with father and son shooters, Gregory and Travis McMichael, will all be tried for murder.
“On May 21, 2020, the GBI arrested William “Roddie” Bryan Jr., age 50, on charges of Felony Murder & Criminal Attempt to Commit False Imprisonment,” the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. “These charges stem from the February 23, 2020 incident that resulted in the death of Ahmaud Arbery. He will be booked into the Glynn County Jail.
“This case is being investigated in partnership with District Attorney Joyette Holmes of the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
Arbery’s family has called for Bryan’s arrest from the time of the other two parties being arrested.
On February 23, 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery was shot dead by two white men as he jogged through the Satilla Shores neighborhood of Georgia. Yet almost three months later, no one had been arrested.
The father and son shooters, Gregory and Travis McMichael, said they thought that Arbery, who was jogging down the street and wearing shorts and a t-shirt, looked like a burglary suspect involved in several break-ins in the area.
They followed him in their pickup truck, then Travis got out and stood in front of Arbery, holding his gun.
When Arbery tried to get around him, Travis shot him three times, leaving him to bleed to death.
The graphic footage has stirred outrage about the reluctance of prosecutors to file charges against Mr Arbery’s alleged attackers, Gregory McMichael and his son, Travis.
It led to Joe Biden calling for justice following a “swift, full, and transparent” investigation. Over 1.6 million people signed a petition calling for justice, which forced authorities to investigate further. Finally, police arrested the father and son duo.
According to The Associated Press, Bryan’s attorney, Kevin Gough, had previously insisted Mr Bryan played no role in Mr Arbery’s death.
“Roddie Bryan is not now, and has never been, more than a witness to the shooting,” Mr Gough said in a statement on the case issued on Monday.
“He is not a vigilante. Roddie did not participate in the horrific killing of this young man.
“Mr Bryan has committed no crime, and bears no criminal responsibility in the death of Ahmaud Arbery.”
Meanwhile, the McMountys are holed up in a county jail awaiting a court date for trial.
Matthias Browning
Matthias Browning | Reporter
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