Attorneys for Jabari Peoples’ Family to File Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Preliminary autopsy results showed Peoples was shot in the back
Lawyers for the family of Jabari Peoples say they plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit, WBRC is reporting.
Peoples, 18, was fatally shot by a Homewood police officer in June 2025. According to investigators, Peoples drew a gun and got into a physical fight with the officer before being shot. Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr has already stated the officer will not face criminal charges.
Attorney Maxwell Tillman, speaking on behalf of the family, said they reviewed video evidence recently and found nothing new. “It was quite clear … everything is moving fast,” he said. “But I think right now our plan is the same, it looks like we have enough for a lawsuit. We think Jabari was trying to get away. He was shot in the back …”
Preliminary autopsy reports indicated that Peoples had been shot in the back, but as of this writing, ALPolitics.com has not been able to locate any formal autopsy report for review.
Peoples’ death has already spawned several protests, one of which resulted in multiple arrests.
Tillman also said the family is still seeking more records from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the city of Homewood. Meanwhile, the legal team asked to dismiss the petition known as Rule 27, arguing the video they viewed was the same as the one shared with the District Attorney.
Rule 27 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure allows someone to request evidence or testimony before an actual lawsuit is filed, mainly to preserve key proof that might be lost or changed over time. In the Jabari Peoples case, the family’s attorneys used Rule 27 to view body-camera footage and other records from the shooting before deciding whether to file a wrongful death claim. That early access was critical because it let them evaluate the video while memories and physical evidence were still fresh, ensuring nothing vital disappeared. After reviewing the footage, the lawyers asked the court to dismiss their Rule 27 petition because they had already secured the material they needed to move ahead with a formal lawsuit.
As the family presses ahead, questions remain about the use of force and whether procedures were followed. The civil court will be their next path forward.
It is uncertain at this time whether the wrongful death suit will name the officer, the Homewood Police Department, the City of Homewood, Jefferson County, or some combination of the above.
