The refusal of authorities to release bodycam footage of a police officer shooting dead a teenager has sparked outrage.
Jabari Peoples' family is demanding "transparency plus accountability" following the 18-year-old student's death last month. A police officer opened fire after a scuffle in a car park, during which it is said the officer had attempted to arrest the young man on suspicion of possessing cannabis.
Speaking at a press conference today, Ben Crump, the family's lawyer, said: "All this family wants is transparency plus accountability. And that’s how we get back to trust. We’re not asking for anything else that you wouldn’t want if it was your child.
"Just release the video. Show us the officer did nothing wrong, Show us that it was justified. It’s a matter of trust, because too often we see our children get killed and they try to justify unnecessary, unjustifiable killings."
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The police force in Birmingham, Alabama, has yet to release the officer's identity. It says its own investigation into the shooting is ongoing and has referred to a 2023 state law which governs release of police recordings. This says an agency may choose to not disclose the recording if it would impact an active law enforcement investigation.
Activists have, in recent weeks, staged regular protests in the suburb in which Jabari died. The teenager, who wanted to be a police detective, was shot in a car park at a sports complex in the Homewood area of Birmingham. Police say he grabbed at a gun from a car door during the scuffle, which led to the officer opening fire in their defence, but the family believe a witness has stated this was not the case.
Vivian Sterling, Jabari's mother, said: "He had a lot of dreams, and he was willing to work for his dreams." She and other family members released doves and white balloons, and brought in a large photo of Jabari with angel wings last week. Candles spelled out "Jabari" at the spot where he was killed.
Leroy Maxwell Jr, another attorney representing the relatives, said: "Give this family what they so deserve, and that’s to know exactly what was happening in their son’s and their brother’s last moments."
The Homewood Police Department said the details surrounding the incident are "clearly captured" on the officer’s body camera. However, Amanda Wasden, a spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), said: "ALEA’s investigation into the officer-involved shooting that occurred in Homewood remains ongoing."
The Homewood Police Department posted a statement on social media that the officer smelled marijuana and noticed a handgun in the pocket of the driver’s side door. The officer attempted to put Jabari in handcuffs to arrest him for marijuana possession and a struggle ensued, according to the statement. Police have not released the name of the officer.
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