The revelation came during a preliminary hearing for Travis McMichael and his father Gregory McMichael, two men charged in Arbery’s murder.
In a statement to investigators, Bryan said Travis McMichael shot Arbery and then called him a “fucking nigger” prior to police arriving to the scene, Georgia Bureau of Investigation special agent Richard Dial testified.
Video of the incident taken by Bryan shows Arbery attempting to run past the truck of the two men before being shot by Travis McMichael, who was armed with a shotgun.
Dial testified Thursday that Travis McMichael used the N-word “many times” on social media prior to Arbery’s killing, and that the toolbox on the defendant’s truck had a Confederate flag sticker on it.
An attorney for Travis McMichael asked Dial if he believed Arbery had been trying to break into one of the trucks.