Family demands body camera footage after police shoot 18-year-old in Alabama

In Alabama, an 18-year-old named Jabari Peoples was fatally shot by police on June 23, 2025, while attempting to arrest him for marijuana possession. The shooting occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Homewood Soccer Complex in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham. According to the Homewood Police Department, an officer approached a vehicle where Peoples and a female friend were located, and as the officer allegedly noticed a handgun within the vehicle and smelled marijuana, a confrontation ensued. During the encounter, it is reported that Jabari grabbed the handgun from a car door, at which point the officer fired his weapon. However, the family's attorney, Leroy Maxwell, Jr., has contested the police's account, claiming that Peoples was shot in the back and that a witness indicated he did not possess a weapon when initially approached by law enforcement. This discrepancy has raised significant concerns in the community regarding the police response to the incident and the necessity of using lethal force during what began as a minor arrest for marijuana. Following the shooting, the Peoples family demanded transparency and justice, calling for the immediate release of the body camera footage related to the incident. The Homewood Police Department stated that the circumstances of the shooting are “clearly captured” on the officer’s body camera, but it has been indicated that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is currently reviewing the case and possesses the footage. The enforcement agency has committed to coordinating the release of the video to the family, which they believe is crucial in obtaining justice for Jabari. The incident has sparked outrage within the community, with activists and local leaders expressing their disbelief over how an arrest for marijuana possession could lead to such tragic consequences. Community activist Star Robb pointed out that this type of escalation in policing is unacceptable and highlighted the broader implications of legalizing marijuana in many states while still treating it as a serious crime in certain cases. Moreover, Aliceville Mayor Terrence E. Windham has urged the mayor of Homewood to act on releasing all available footage linked to the shooting as a measure of transparency and accountability. Overall, the tragic death of Jabari Peoples has added to the ongoing dialogue around police conduct, the use of force, and systemic racism in law enforcement. The family’s call for answers and the community's demand for justice underscore the urgency for a thorough investigation into the practices of the Homewood Police Department and the need for changes that will prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.