Glynn County

Ahmaud Arbery: William Roddie Bryan, man who recorded Arbery’s shooting death, arrested on murder charge

By ActionNewsJax.com News Staff
By ActionNewsJax.com News Staff

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. — Action News Jax has the latest on this story LIVE on FOX30 & CBS47.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested William “Roddie” Bryan Jr., age 50, on Thursday on charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment, according to a news release.

Bryan will be booked into the Glynn County Jail.

GBI said it will hold a news conference on the arrest at 9 a.m. on Friday at its headquarters in Decatur.

Action News Jax will carry the news conference LIVE on FOX30. You can also watch it online by clicking here or here. The news conference can also be watched on the Action News Jax NOW app for Amazon Fire, Apple TV or Roku.

These charges stem from the Feb. 23 incident that resulted in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, GBI said.

Bryan recorded the confrontation that led to Arbery’s shooting death. Arbery, 25, was in the Satilla Shores neighborhood in Brunswick when father and son Gregory and Travis McMichael confronted Arbery with two firearms. During the encounter, Travis McMichael shot and killed Arbery, investigators said.

ORIGINAL STORY: Ahmaud Arbery case: Man killed in Brunswick in February, shooter not arrested

After the May 7 murder arrests of the McMichaels in connection with the shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced that Bryan was also under investigation.

On May 10, Bryan spoke exclusively to Action News Jax’s Bridgette Matter. Bryan said he and his family were receiving death threats.

“I am not feeling safe at all … I haven’t felt safe in at least 3-to-5 days now,” Bryan said. “Like Amy (Bryan’s fiancee) has said, the threats have been real.”

The initial police report mentions Bryan: “Roddy attempted to block him, which was unsuccessful.” But Bryan denied being part of the confrontation that led to Arbery’s death.

On Monday, Bryan’s attorney Kevin Gough said his client had taken a lie detector test and that GBI had the results.

RELATED: Ahmaud Arbery: Attorney for man who recorded video of fatal shooting releases statement

S. Lee Merritt, Benjamin Crump and L. Chris Stewart, attorneys for the mother and father of Ahmaud Arbery, released the following statement:

"The family of Ahmaud Arbery was relieved to learn that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has today taken William ‘Roddie’ Bryan into custody.

"We called for his arrest from the very beginning of this process. His involvement in the murder of Mr. Arbery was obvious to us, to many around the country and after their thorough investigation, it was clear to the GBI as well.

"The family of Mr. Arbery is thankful for the diligence of the GBI and the way in which they tirelessly pursued the evidence in this case.

“We want anyone who participated in the murder of Mr. Arbery to be held accountable.”

This case is being investigated in partnership with District Attorney Joyette Holmes of the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.

Bryan will be booked into the Glynn County Jail. GBI said it will hold a news conference on the arrest at 9 a.m. Friday at its headquarters in Decatur.

RELATED: Ga. Attorney General requests DOJ to handle Arbery case, releases timeline of case changing hands and delayed arrests

Action News Jax will carry the briefing LIVE on CBS47 and FOX30. You can also watch the briefing online by clicking here or here. The briefing can also be watched on the Action News Jax NOW app for Amazon Fire, Apple TV or Roku.

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