The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office has determined that the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Jabari Peoples by a Homewood police officer on June 23, 2025, was legally justified. As a result, no criminal charges will be filed against the officer involved in the case.

The ruling follows an internal investigation led by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), which turned over body camera footage and other findings to District Attorney Danny Carr. The district attorney met with Peoples family and their attorneys before publicly announcing his decision on August 6.

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According to a report from ABC 33/40, Carr stated that the incident began when a Homewood police officer approached a vehicle and detected the smell and sight of marijuana. As the officer attempted to detain Peoples, who had exited the vehicle, he noticed a firearm in the driver-side door panel. A struggle followed as the officer tried to place Peoples in handcuffs. During that altercation, Peoples broke free, moved toward the vehicle, grabbed the weapon, and was then shot by the officer.

ABC 33/40 revealed the body cam footage shows Peoples being shot in the back, falling to the ground with the gun still in his hand. The video also depicts the officer providing medical assistance immediately after the shooting. The report notes that the officer’s dashcam was not activated until after the encounter had begun, and the footage available only begins once the physical altercation was underway.

Carr emphasized that his ruling was based on both the footage reviewed and the application of Alabama’s Stand Your Ground law, which allows the use of deadly force if a person believes it is necessary to prevent harm. He stated that the evidence presented offered no basis for altering the conclusion that the shooting was legally justified.

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In response to the ruling, Homewood Mayor Alex Wyatt issued a statement.

“We have received the results of the District Attorney’s investigations into the shooting of Jabari Peoples. We note that the District Attorney found the ‘shooting is deemed justified’ and that no criminal charges will be filed against the Homewood Police Officer involved in this matter.”

Wyatt also extended his condolences to the Peoples family.

“We can’t imagine the anguish of the Peoples family in the aftermath of this tragic event and hope the community will respect the District Attorney’s decision, which he says is based on the facts and the law.”

With the district attorney’s office concluding its involvement, any further legal action—such as a civil rights case—will be a matter between the Peoples family and the City of Homewood.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].