The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) turned over all body-worn camera footage of a high-profile officer-involved shooting to the Homewood Police Department and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office after concluding its investigation.
Jabari Peoples, 18, was shot and killed by a Homewood police officer on June 23. Police said the officer was patrolling when he observed a vehicle parked near the 1000 Block of South Lakeshore Drive.
“Over the course of the incident, one of the occupants of the vehicle engaged in a physical altercation with the officer and produced a firearm,” police stated in a press release. “The officer discharged his weapon, striking the suspect.”
The family of Peoples and Black Lives Matter protesters demanded the release of the video evidence, calling on boycotts of Homewood businesses in the meantime. However, the case had been turned over to the ALEA for investigation, so the city was barred from releasing any footage.
Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt called for the ALEA to allow the Peoples family to view the video.
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) co-sponsored 2023 legislation allowing for a petition for the release of body camera footage to a representative of a family but does not require the release. Givan said the family should be able to view the video by going through the proper process.
An attorney for the Peoples family, Leroy Maxwell, blamed Givan’s legislation on the family not being able to view the footage and said she was “putting up smoke and mirrors.”
“The Agency would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding during the ongoing investigation,” the ALEA said in a statement following the conclusion of the investigation on August 1. “Additionally, ALEA would like to thank Governor Kay Ivey and State Representative Juandalynn Givan for their steadfast support throughout this investigation.”
The ALEA stated it remains committed to protecting the integrity of the investigation and ensuring facts are evaluated thoroughly. Findings will be presented to the DA’s office.
Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr said he would allow the family to view the footage.
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