Demands for Transparency Following Shooting of College Freshman
The family of Jabari Peoples is seeking answers after a preliminary independent autopsy indicated that the 18-year-old college student was fatally shot during an encounter with police in June. Surrounded by civil rights attorneys and community supporters, the family held a press conference on Tuesday, appealing to law enforcement in Alabama to release the body camera footage related to the incident.
A major concern for the family is the apparent lack of transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding Peoples’ death. Ben Crump, the family’s attorney, mentioned that a private autopsy conducted in Atlanta revealed there were no exit wounds and that the bullet had not been retrieved from his body. Crump emphasized that video footage is crucial to understanding what transpired during Peoples’ final moments, particularly in light of the police’s narrative.
The Homewood Police Department stated that officers approached Jabari and his girlfriend in their vehicle, which was parked at a local soccer complex, due to what they believed was the smell of marijuana. According to police, a struggle ensued as they tried to apprehend Jabari for possession of a controlled substance.
Family attorneys, including Crump and Leroy Maxwell Jr. from Birmingham, emphasized that withholding body camera footage could erode trust between the agency and the community. “If the goal is transparency and justice, this should not be a difficult request,” Maxwell commented. “Show me the video.”
Attorney Eric Hertz, another member of the legal team, noted that the autopsy suggested the bullets entered through Jabari’s back, injuring vital organs. The absence of exit wounds and the inability to locate the bullet complicated their understanding of the shot’s trajectory and impact.
Hertz remarked, “We are using incomplete information to piece together what happened based on what the state has provided. It’s very unfair to this family.”
Crump added, “This makes me think more about what happened.” Peoples’ parents, Vivian Sterling and William Peoples, expressed their frustration at not being contacted by authorities the night of the shooting, learning about the details mainly through news sources rather than official channels. Furthermore, the Jefferson County Coroner’s office performed an autopsy reportedly without the family’s consent, and it has declined to disclose the findings at the request of the area’s authorities.
Crump highlighted that Jabari was a young man with no criminal record, studying computer information systems and criminal justice, and aspired to become a police detective. “Jabari represents the best we want from our kids,” he stated.
As the family continues their pursuit of clarity, they believe this case is about more than just finding answers; it reflects broader issues concerning how Alabama—and the nation—respond when young Black men lose their lives during interactions with law enforcement. “Jabari’s Justice,” Crump stated, “It means justice for all of us.”
