The family of an 18-year-old who passed away after a confrontation with police in Homewood last weekend is planning to file a lawsuit against the city over his death.
Jabari People lost his life on June 22 at UAB Hospital, less than an hour after being reportedly shot in the back by a Homewood Police Department officer amid what the department termed as an “altercation.” The department claims that Peoples was shot because he allegedly reached for a gun during the incident, though no gun has been presented as evidence.
On Wednesday, the family’s legal representatives submitted a petition to initiate legal action against both the city of Homewood and the officer involved in the shooting. In the petition, attorney Leroy Maxwell sought to secure testimonies and preserve evidence for a “forthcoming wrongful death lawsuit.”
This evidence includes incident reports, autopsy findings and any bodycam footage that captured the shooting. The family has sought the footage since Peoples’ death, but the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has declined to do so, claiming it would hinder its investigation into the case.
“Petitioner has a good-faith basis to believe that the force used by John Doe was excessive and violated decedent’s constitutional and statutory rights,” the petition stated.
In the wake of Peoples’ death, several different city officials have expressed support for the bodycam footage to be released.
“In moments like this, transparency is essential,” city councilmember Jennifer Andress wrote in a social media post. “The City of Homewood and the Peoples family have both communicated to ALEA their support for the release of the body camera footage, with the hope that it can provide the Peoples family and our community with greater clarity and peace.”
Councilman Carlos Aleman echoed Andress’ statement, adding that ALEA’s denial to release the video was “heatbreaking.”
“There are two matters at hand: the ongoing investigation being conducted by ALEA. Second—and just as important—is the matter of transparency,” Aleman said. “Families deserve clarity. They deserve answers. They deserve more than silence.”
The case remains under investigation.
