Sat Jun 28 12:40:00 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**

The family of Jabari Peoples, an 18-year-old killed by Homewood police, is demanding transparency and answers. They have yet to see the body camera footage of the incident, despite Alabama law granting them the right to view it. Their attorney, Leroy Maxwell Jr., alleges a lack of communication from ALEA, who is leading the investigation. The family was also not promptly notified of Jabari’s death, learning about it through news reports hours after the shooting. The Jefferson County Coroner’s office stated that while they typically perform autopsies within 24 hours, there is no legal requirement to obtain family consent or to notify them of the death, but that they do coordinate notifications. The police report stated the officer approached the vehicle after allegedly smelling marijuana. Maxwell says that even if marijuana was found, it should never have escalated into a fatal shooting. Peoples’ girlfriend, who was present, claims Jabari was unarmed and did not resist arrest. The family urges accountability from law enforcement if the video confirms their version of events.

**News Article:**

**Family of Teen Killed by Homewood Police Demand Transparency, Release of Body Cam Footage**

**BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) -** The family of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples, fatally shot by Homewood police officers three days ago, is calling for transparency and accountability as they await the release of body camera footage from the incident.

According to their attorney, Leroy Maxwell Jr., the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which is leading the investigation, has not granted the family access to the video. While Alabama law allows families to view body cam footage in cases involving deadly force, it lacks specific guidelines on timing and scope.

“It doesn’t make sense why we’re not getting the answers that we deserve from law enforcement,” Maxwell said. “The family deserves to see the video.”

Maxwell alleges a lack of communication from ALEA, stating that the family’s requests to view the footage have been met with silence.

The family also claims they were not promptly notified of Jabari’s death, learning about it through news reports more than 12 hours after the shooting. Maxwell said that Jabari’s parents weren’t even notified that their son had died until after they saw news coverage about a deadly police-involved shooting in Homewood. By then, an autopsy had already been performed, with no family members having been asked to identify the body.

WBRC reached out to The Jefferson County Coroner’s office and asked if there was an issue with notification. Yates said:“There is no statutory requirement that any one entity is responsible for next of kin notification.” but that his staff is required to coordinate next of kin notification, ensuring that it is completed in a reasonable manner.”

According to the police report, the officer approached Peoples’ vehicle after allegedly smelling marijuana. Maxwell contends that even if marijuana was found, it should not have resulted in a fatal shooting.

Peoples’ girlfriend, who was in the car with him that night, told the family that Jabari never had a gun and didn’t resist arrest—directly contradicting statements made in the police report.

“If this video shows what we think it’s going to show,” Maxwell said, “then Homewood and law enforcement need to be prepared to take accountability for it.”

ALEA has declined to release further information at this time.

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