Aliceville mayor calls for transparency from ALEA, Homewood mayor over deadly shooting of teen
Aliceville Mayor Terrence Windham is calling for answers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the City of Homewood following the deadly shooting of a teen from his community earlier this week.
In an open letter to ALEA and Homewood's mayor, Alex Wyatt, Wednesday afternoon, Windham stated that the deadly shooting of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples by a Homewood police officer "sent shockwaves" through the community and "raised serious concerns" over what happened that night.
>> THE LATEST: What we are learning about the shooting
"In the interest of transparency, accountability, and the public's right to know, I respectfully urge your administration to release all available footage related to this case鈥� including any body-worn camera recordings, surveillance video, and dispatch audio," the statement read. "Making this information public is a critical step toward ensuring trust in the investigative process and demonstrating a commitment to justice and equal protection under the law."
"This moment calls for clarity and compassion," the statement continued. "The people of Alabama deserve both. I trust that your office will handle this situation with the transparency and leadership it demands."
Peoples' family is calling for the release of bodycam footage as well, refuting the Homewood Police Department's report that the teen resisted arrest and pulled out a handgun during the incident.
>> 'We were denied basic dignity': Family of teen killed by Homewood police officer makes demands
"Jabari was not armed," the family said in a statement. "He was not aggressive. He did not resist. He complied."
"Jabari complied 鈥� and within seconds, he was taken to the ground and shot," the statement continued. "A witness was present. That person saw everything. There was no weapon. There was no threat."
ALEA is investigating and has taken possession of bodycam footage, and police said arrangements are being made so that the family can see it.
"The details surrounding this incident are clearly captured on the officer's body-worn camera," according to Homewood police.