HOMEWOOD, AL – Tensions are rising in Jefferson County following a controversial legal move by the City of Homewood in the ongoing case involving the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples

HOMEWOOD, AL – Tensions are rising in Jefferson County following a controversial legal move by the City of Homewood in the ongoing case involving the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples. On Friday, attorneys representing the city formally requested the court to dismiss a petition filed by the family of Peoples, who was shot and killed by Homewood police on June 23.

The petition, submitted last week by Birmingham attorney Leroy Maxwell Jr. on behalf of Vivian Sterling, Jabari’s mother, and other close relatives, seeks to obtain and preserve critical video footage and other potential evidence related to the teen’s death. The family believes that transparency and access to information are essential as they evaluate the possibility of pursuing a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit against the city and the involved officers.

In their court filing, Homewood city attorneys pushed back against the family’s legal action, asking a Jefferson County judge to throw out the petition entirely. The city’s response, filed just days after public outcry and vigils held in honor of Jabari, suggests that officials are resisting the public release of footage at this time — a stance that has deepened the divide between the city government and the grieving family, as well as concerned community members.

Peoples, described by family and friends as a “bright, compassionate young man with a promising future,” was shot and killed during an encounter with Homewood police under still-murky circumstances. The lack of clarity surrounding what led to the use of deadly force has fueled public calls for accountability and immediate release of any bodycam, dashcam, or surveillance footage from the incident.

Attorney Maxwell stated that the petition was filed in good faith, primarily to preserve evidence and ensure no critical materials are lost or destroyed as the family weighs further legal options. The filing seeks not only the release of video but also access to 911 call recordings, police reports, officer names, and any other records pertaining to the fatal encounter. It argues that the family has a constitutional and moral right to know what happened to their son.

“The family of Jabari Peoples is simply seeking the truth,” Maxwell said in a public statement. “They deserve full transparency and access to the materials that may shed light on the final moments of Jabari’s life. This is not just about one family — it’s about the public’s right to accountability when someone dies at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve.”

The City of Homewood, however, asserts in its response that the petition is “premature and speculative,” stating that the ongoing investigation into the incident by outside agencies — including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) — must be allowed to proceed without disruption. City attorneys argue that releasing materials prematurely could compromise the integrity of the investigation and subject the city to undue legal and political pressure.

The city’s position has prompted strong reactions from community leaders, activists, and civil rights organizations across the Birmingham metro area. Many believe that withholding footage and refusing to engage with the family’s concerns further erodes public trust in law enforcement and city officials.

“This is exactly why people are marching in the streets,” said local activist Kenyatta Lewis. “The refusal to release footage in the wake of a police killing sends a clear message: the system is more interested in protecting itself than in delivering justice or transparency.”

As the legal dispute continues to unfold, the community remains on edge, with growing demands for openness, accountability, and justice for Jabari Peoples. Supporters have rallied on social media under hashtags like #JusticeForJabari and #ReleaseTheFootage, urging local leaders to act with compassion and integrity.

The Jefferson County judge overseeing the case is expected to schedule a hearing in the coming weeks to review the city’s motion to dismiss and hear arguments from both sides. Meanwhile, the family of Jabari Peoples continues to grieve in public and private, seeking not only answers but a sense of closure that seems painfully out of reach.

As public pressure mounts and legal proceedings develop, all eyes remain fixed on the Homewood city government — and whether it will choose the path of transparency or maintain its legal wall of silence in a case that has already shaken public confidence and stirred deep emotions across Alabama.