Black man dies after police use Taser during arrest in Alabama
- John Scott Jr. was arrested on April 15 in Alabama after officers received two calls regarding his behavior.
- Body camera footage revealed the use of a Taser and physical force during his arrest, which resulted in hospitalization.
- Scott's death has ignited protests and calls for police accountability in the community.
In Alabama, a Black man named John Scott Jr. passed away on Tuesday, a week after an arrest that involved the use of a Taser by law enforcement. Authorities revealed a nearly 30-minute video from body camera footage which showed the events leading to Scott's hospitalization on April 15 outside his mother's home. Police were initially called after claims regarding his behavior, but a mental health liaison determined he was not a threat. However, a second 911 call resulted in officers attempting to detain him, leading to a confrontation where they punched him and deployed a stun gun. The police stated that Scott exhibited signs of distress during his time in custody. Officials noted that he had a warrant for a misdemeanor traffic charge, but his family attorney emphasized that the warrant did not necessitate his arrest. After being transported to the Morgan County Jail, it became difficult for jail staff to manage Scott due to his size and passive resistance. Tragically, after over an hour in custody, he was found unresponsive and later died in the hospital. His family is pursuing an independent autopsy while calling for a thorough investigation. Local residents have expressed their anger and frustration over the incident, particularly given the ongoing trial of a former Decatur police officer involved in the fatal shooting of another Black man earlier in 2023. Activists, including the NAACP president, have questioned how similar officers can remain employed in light of continued incidents of police violence. The Decatur Police Department has requested assistance from state and federal authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding Scott's death, creating a significant public outcry. As the community grapples with these events, calls for accountability in police practices persist amidst the broader discussion of racial disparity and justice in law enforcement. The situation has prompted significant unrest and protest in Decatur, with advocates reiterating demands for systemic change and emphasizing the need for reform in policing methods, especially regarding mental health assessments and the treatment of individuals during encounters with law enforcement.