Alabama agency completes review of fatal police shooting in man's front yard

DECATUR, Ala. — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Tuesday it has completed an investigation into a fatal police shooting that left a man dead in his front yard during a dispute with a tow truck driver.

The state agency did not release any findings but said the investigation file has been turned over to the Morgan County district attorney. A telephone message left with the district attorney's office was not immediately returned.

Steve Perkins, 39, was shot and killed by police on September 29 when Decatur police officers accompanied a tow truck driver, who told police he had been threatened by the homeowner when he tried to impound a vehicle, back to the house. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a September news release that Perkins was armed with a handgun equipped with a light and “waved the weapon at a Decatur Police Department officer, causing the officer to fire at Perkins.”

An attorney for the Perkins family said officers immediately opened fire on Perkins, who appeared unaware of their presence before he was shot. The family of Perkins, a Black man, released a statement saying payments for the truck were up to date. Therefore, he contested the attempt to tow the truck.

Video from a neighbor's surveillance camera, published by WAFF-TV, captured the shooting. An officer or officers appear to be running away next to the house. Someone is heard shouting, “Police, get on the ground,” and a large number of shots are immediately fired in rapid succession.

Perkins' family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and others. The city fired three police officers in response to the shooting. News media report that the officers will appeal their dismissal.

The fatal shooting has sparked regular protests in the northern Alabama city. Protesters carried signs that read: “You could have knocked” and “We need answers.”