Mother of jogger shot, killed won’t watch video at center of son’s death investigation

Ahmaud mother's joined reporters via video call for an interview. (WJXT Channel 4)

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Outrage is continuing to grow since a graphic cellphone video surfaced online that appears to show the fatal shooting in February of an unarmed black jogger in a suburban Brunswick neighborhood.

The release of the video brought national attention to Ahmaud’s death, garnering calls for justice and outrage from major political players, star athletes, and celebrities.

Recommended Videos



SEE: Lebron James expressed disbelief in an Instagram post and offered prayers for the family | Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called for a swift, full, and transparent investigation on Twitter | Justin Timberlake posted a picture of Ahmaud with a brief statement on Instagram

Even though the video has brought the national spotlight, Ahmaud’s mother said she won’t watch it.

“I haven’t viewed the video. I don’t think I’ll ever reach the mental capacity to watch the video. I saw my son come into the world. Seeing him leave the world, it’s not something I want to see ever" she said.

RELATED: Calls for criminal charges mount in shooting of black jogger

The video showed Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was running on Satilla Drive when two men in a pickup truck who had stopped in the street ahead confronted him and fired three shots, two of them after Arbery tried to fight a man who was holding a gun. That man was Travis McMichael, the son of a former district attorney investigator.

The source of the video, which was posted by a Georgia radio station Tuesday, circulated widely on social media sites. It is believed the recording was part of the official investigation all along. However, it had been released anonymously, at first.

Thursday morning Brunswick Attorney Alan Tucker said he released the video of Ahmaud Arbery being shot and killed. He told News4jax Reporter Kelly Wiley people had a right to know.

Tucker said the person who recorded the video gave it to him. News4Jax is working to learn more information about that person.

The same day the video was published, a Hinesville district attorney recommended that a grand jury review the fatal February shooting death. On Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assigned three supervisory-level agents to look into the man’s death and why the shooter hasn’t been charged.

GBI asks anyone with information to call 1-800-597-TIPS.