One day before Oprah Winfrey publicly took to the streets to celebrate a slain South Georgia man’s birthday, the media mogul quietly paid her respects to his family, according to reports.
Winfrey called Ahmaud Arbery's mother Thursday to offer well-wishes ahead of what would have been the man's 26th birthday, according to TMZ. Arbery was allegedly shot and killed by a father and son in the Brunswick area Feb. 23.
Wanda Cooper-Jones told TMZ she was in disbelief when she answered the phone and heard Winfrey’s voice offering condolences.
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Winfrey reportedly said she is sending Cooper-Jones a gift in the mail, though the nature of the item is not known.
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Police say Arbery, who was black, was fatally shot after encountering Gregory McMichael, 64, and his son Travis McMichael, 34.
The men, who are white, told authorities they suspected Arbery of burglaries and that he became violent when confronted. Arbery’s family said he was jogging in the McMichaels’ neighborhood at the time.
A cellphone video that went viral showed the violent exchange between Arbery and the McMichaels.
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On Friday, Winfrey and other celebrities walked and jogged in honor of the slain man. In an Instagram post, Winfrey wrote that she and her family walked 2.26 miles to represent Arbery’s 26th birthday.
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“Today would’ve been Ahmaud Arbery’s 26th birthday,” the post said. “But he’s not here to celebrate because he was senselessly shot and killed doing something to make his life healthier and stronger. He went out for a jog while being Black. I wonder what was he thinking in those last seconds of his life?”
Winfrey closed the post with #IRunWithAhmaud.
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Gregory and Travis McMichael were arrested last week and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault.
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