That exact moment shows me that AA did not believe the occupants of the vehicles were going to shoot. By that time there had already been ample opportunity to fire a shot and AA could surely see GM in the back of the truck on the phone. He knew they weren’t “hunting” him, he wasn’t dodging bullets and running for his life - he was running to avoid being detained. The decision to charge at the man holding a shotgun was not his only option, it was in fact his worst available option and a very, very bad decision.
AA was to feel he would not be shot because ample time had elapsed for them to already have shot him? More likely by running and doubling back he was never a clear shot.
What I see now from the synced videos is Travis getting into shooting position at the right front of the truck. MOO and leveling the barrel at Arbery.
MOO this community worked themselves into thinking Arbery was their neighborhood thief -- all of which are rumored thefts except for Travis who reported he had a gun stolen.
They didn't see the crime, and they were told of no crime beyond trespass, which does not support citizens arrest action.
So as peer citizens of Arbery they armed themselves and went after him, attempting to detain him.
When AA evaded them two times on the third time the son who obviously could not make AA stop physically, got out of his truck and attempted to use the threat his shotgun to make Arbery stop. That is the assault.
O.C.G.A. 16-5-20 (2010)
16-5-20. Simple assault:
(a) A person commits the offense of simple assault when he or she either:
(1) Attempts to commit a violent injury to the person of another; or
(2) Commits an act which places another in reasonable apprehension of immediately receiving a violent injury.
2010 Georgia Code :: TITLE 16 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES :: CHAPTER 5 - CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON :: ARTICLE 2 - ASSAULT AND BATTERY :: § 16-5-20 - Simple assault
The elements of this crime are falling into place.
The McMs had pre-judged Arbery as a neighborhood thief, and acted as if they had police authority which they did not.
Some one here pointed out that the police do make wrongful arrests, ut they have the express granted authority to arrest and have the legality of that arrest reviewed after the fact. Citizens do not. It has to be valid at the time.
That is why citizens making arrests must witness the felony crime or have immediate knowledge of it.
The are suspicious citizens trying to make another citizen submit to them by force without any authority.