Family of Jabari Peoples Demands Transparency: Calls Intensify for Release of Bodycam Footage

August 5, 2025 - HOMEWOOD, AL - In the wake of the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples in Homewood, Alabama, a growing chorus of voices-led by his grieving family and supported by community activists-has called for the release of unedited body camera footage from the night of the incident. The demand for transparency has become a focal point in a case that has stirred public outcry, raised questions about police accountability, and prompted legal action.

Peoples was shot and killed on the night of June 23 at a soccer park in Homewood. According to police accounts, the officer involved encountered a suspicious vehicle and claimed that Peoples reached for a firearm during a physical altercation, prompting the officer to discharge his weapon. However, the family disputes this narrative, asserting that Jabari was unarmed and compliant. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family revealed that Peoples was shot in the back, with no exit wound and no bullet recovered-findings that have only intensified calls for the release of video evidence.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) took over the investigation shortly after the incident, citing the need for impartiality. On August 1, ALEA concluded its inquiry and turned over its findings-including all body-worn camera footage-to the Homewood Police Department and the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Danny Carr has stated that he intends to show the footage to the Peoples family by August 6, though it remains unclear whether the video will be released to the public.

The family, represented by attorney Leroy Maxwell Jr., has filed a petition to compel the City of Homewood to release the footage. A hearing originally scheduled for August 4 was postponed, leaving the family and community in limbo. Maxwell emphasized that the family's pursuit of transparency has been relentless since Jabari's death, and that the legal route was necessary after repeated requests for the footage were denied during the investigation.

Supporters of the Peoples family, including members of Black Lives Matter Grassroots Birmingham, have rallied at the Jefferson County Courthouse, demanding the release of the unedited footage. "We would like the unedited video because, as we know, throughout American history, police departments-particularly state-level agencies like ALEA-have a tendency to edit these videos to make the victim look like the criminal," said Travis Jackson, a local activist.

The case has also reignited debate over Alabama's body camera legislation. State Representative Juandalynn Givan, who co-sponsored a 2023 bill allowing families to petition for access to bodycam footage, has expressed support for the Peoples family. However, Maxwell criticized the legislation as insufficient, arguing that it creates unnecessary barriers to transparency and accountability.

Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt has publicly urged ALEA to allow the family to view the footage, but the city has been legally barred from releasing it while the investigation was ongoing. Now that ALEA has concluded its review, the responsibility for disclosure lies with the District Attorney's Office and potentially the courts.

The community's response has been swift and impassioned. Vigils, protests, and calls for boycotts of Homewood businesses have underscored the urgency felt by many residents. For them, the release of the footage is not just about one case-it's about setting a precedent for transparency in law enforcement and ensuring that families are not left in the dark when tragedy strikes.

As the Peoples family prepares to view the footage, the broader question remains: will the public ever see it? DA Carr has indicated that the family and their attorneys do not currently want the video shared publicly, but that decision could evolve depending on what the footage reveals and how the legal process unfolds.

In the meantime, the family is considering a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit. The outcome of that potential litigation may hinge on what the bodycam footage shows-and whether it aligns with the police narrative or the findings of the independent autopsy.