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'Everyone wants answers,' Decatur mayor says following officer-involved shooting death

Mayor Tab Bowling expressed his condolences to the family after Thursday's vigil.

DECATUR, Ala. — UPDATE (10/6): Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Decatur City Hall who say they want answers and justice for Stephen (Steve) Perkins.

Aneesah Saafiyah, who helped organize the protest, says Decatur is a 'small knit community and everybody knew and loved Steve.'

"Y'all killed a man that was an asset to his community and his energy is exceeding him. The love that the community has for him is exceeding him. So, it's bigger than us," Saafiyah said.

She says they will not stop until he has justice and they're demanding city officials to do their part, "And we will not stop until they change policy in this community to represent this community and protect us, because that's what we pay them for."

Another organizer, Terrance Adkins, adds "For too long, they say, well, we need training. We need training, but the training works for everyone else. But, you know, my ethnicity, my, my, my group, the training doesn't work for us. And it seems that the training is actually, you know, to oppress and suppress us."

UPDATE (10/5): ALEA has activated a tipline for those with information that may help in the continued investigation of a fatal officer-involved shooting. In a statement released Friday afternoon, officials said in part, "On behalf of Decatur Police Chief, Todd Pinion and ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor, we continue to ask for everyone’s patience as ALEA’s SBI conducts what must be a very thorough and methodical investigation. All evidence is currently being reviewed, however, if anyone has any information to share, please call SBI’s confidential tipline at 1-800-392-8011 or email at sbi.investigations@alea.gov."

The statement comes following Thursday's vigil attended by hundreds of protesters. Lee Merritt, an attorney representing the Perkins family, said in an impassioned speech that the family is looking for answers and accountability. “We believe what’s best for the community, what’s best for transparency, is the rapid release of the evidence involved [and] indictments," he said. 

Protests have occurred in the north Alabama city daily since the death.

“The thing that has been consistent is looking for answers. We understand that. That is something everyone wants and they want answers now. Unfortunately, we don’t have control of that,” Mayor Tab Bowling said.

UPDATE (10/4): Decatur mayor Tab Bowling posted a video in which he expressed condolences to the family of Stephen Perkins, who was fatally shot by Decatur police officers. Bowling also said he had met with family members and intended to be at a planned vigil on Thursday night.

From City of Decatur's Facebook page:

UPDATE (10/3): Protesters in Decatur are calling for transparency from Decatur police, including release of body camera footage, in the fatal shooting of Stephen Perkins by officers. A group gathered to march in advance of Governor Kay Ivey's appearance in Decatur in Tuesday.

Neighborhood surveillance captured Perkins last moments. The video does not show who fired the shots and after the shots were fired police can be heard shouting "drop the gun." In a later portion in the video (not shown) Perkins was shot. 

In the video you can see Perkins has something in his hand but does not clearly show what it is. 

A statement in behalf of the family Stephen Perkins by publicist Dr. Brent Lipscomb says, in part:

"As the Publicist of the Perkins family, this memorandum serves as a statement on the tragic murder of Stephen (Steve) Clay Perkins. It is heartbreaking for Clay Perkin’s wife, children, and family to go through this traumatizing loss without much detail or explanation. The most respectful way for the City of Decatur, Alabama and Decatur Alabama Police Department to respond to this tragedy is with proactivity, and ultimately, transparency when communicating with the family and the Decatur City Community. 

"It has been rumored that an investigation is taking place, but the City of Decatur has failed to contact the family or acknowledge the incident pertaining to Clay’s death with the family. The family has not received footage of Clay’s deadly encounter from the City of Decatur’s police department or Alabama Law Enforcement Department. Moreover, neither agencies have taken the moment to acknowledge Clay’s death with the family. Clay’s family and community is owed that closure immediately. It saddens us the City of Decatur failed to offer condolences, pay respect, or notify Mrs. Catrela Perkins (Clay’s Wife) or the family of Clay Perkins upon Decatur Police Department use of excessive force and murder of Clay Perkins. 

"The city retains body cameras which should have been in use during the incident. The family is calling for the city to deliver the footage to the family. In the meantime, surveillance exists of the incident through home security cameras. The unjust excessive amount of force can be seen in the home surveillance footage.

Rumors have circulated regarding Decatur Police Department’s statement stigmatizing Clay as combative or aggressive, causing rage in marginalized communities across Alabama. This was not the character of Clay Perkins. Clay was a family-oriented young black man thriving for excellence. While there are a lot of rumors circulating, the family has found financial receipts proving Clay’s monthly payments were processed through his financing company and no evidence of Clay’s vehicle being in an active status of repossession, therefore indicating, the Towing Company and City of Decatur Police Department wrongfully appeared at Clay’s home. 

The family has also gained a clear understanding of the excessive amount of force used by Decatur Alabama Police Department with seven wounds to Clay’s body during this encounter with the wrong person and a neighbor home with about nine bullet entry marks located on his home.

In this memorandum, the family is demanding a thorough investigation of the encounter held at Clay’s home on the morning of 29 September 2023. We are calling actions of justice to be served. We are calling for the removal of officers who entered Clay’s home the morning of the event, removal of officers using excessive force, and answers of justice from the city. We do not call for administrative leave of officers involved also known as a “free vacation”. The family has chosen not to go into detail with media at this time as the unexpected death of Clay has been overbearing and would not like to jeopardize legalities processes or procedures. As of now, all appropriate measures to ensure justice is served are being taken by the family. 

While there is no monetary amount that will justify the unjust lost of Clay, we will stand firmly with prominent legal representation on our side until justice is served. If you would like to donate to this family or provide support for justice, please use the Gofundme account titled: Clay (Steve) Perkins Innocent Black Man Killed. 

The family ask for continuous prayers and active voices advocating for justice for Clay Perkins."

UPDATE (10/2): Following calls for police to release body cam footage, as well as a public demonstration that took place on Sunday, Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion has released a statement regarding the fatal Sept. 29 shooting of Stephen Perkins.

Pinion's full statement is as follows:

"There has been much discussion over the weekend concerning the incident that occurred early Friday morning resulting in the unfortunate death of Stephen Perkins. As soon as I learned that there had been a shooting involving a Decatur Police Officer I immediately contacted the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and asked them to conduct the investigation per department protocol.

"There has been discussion publicly concerning demands to have the DPD release body cam video of the incident. Legislation enacted earlier this year, governs the release of body camera footage. Pursuant to that legislation, the “Custodial Law Enforcement Agency” is the entity to decide when, how, and what to disclose. Because ALEA is conducting the investigation, they are the Custodial Law Enforcement Agency and they maintain all evidence in the case to include body camera videos.

"It would be improper and irresponsible for me to comment on the evidence in this case and cannot legally release any evidence in the case. At the conclusion of the investigation, ALEA and the Morgan County District Attorney’s office will determine if the case will be presented to a grand jury for consideration. Until that process has concluded, we cannot comment on the investigation.

"I recognize that many people in the community, both family and friends, are mourning the loss of Mr. Perkins. There was a peaceful demonstration at city hall yesterday and I completely respect the public’s right to peacefully protest. Please understand that I am in a difficult position of trying to juggle the public’s demands for transparency and adhering to the rules of criminal procedure while not jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation.

"I have full confidence in the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and will respect their findings when their investigation is complete. I ask for your patience until the investigative process is completed."

Statement from Chief Todd Pinion.

Posted by Decatur Police Department Alabama on Monday, October 2, 2023

Our original reporting continues below:

The Decatur Police Department is reporting an officer involved shooting overnight. The man who was shot died from his injuries.

According to DPD, officers responded to a call from a local towing company about a man with a gun. A tow truck driver reported that while he was attempting to repossess a vehicle from near a man's home, the homeowner "pulled a gun on the tow truck driver, who fled the scene."

Officers went to the home with the tow truck driver, who left the house carrying a handgun and began threatening the tow truck driver. In the press release, DPD says:

"Officers on scene ordered the homeowner to drop his weapon, which he refused to do. It was at this time the homeowner turned the gun towards one of the Officers on scene. The Officer discharged his duty weapon, striking the subject.

"After the shots were fired, Officers on scene called for medical assistance and began to render first aid until their arrival. The subject was transported to Huntsville Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

"No officers were injured during the incident."

The officer is on administrative leave, per Decatur Police Department Policy, while the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency conducts its investigation.

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