An Alabama police chief said he believes department policy was violated when officers fatally shot a man during a dispute with a tow truck driver, but did not elaborate on what that policy was.
Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion wrote in a statement Friday that the department has completed an internal investigation into the Sept. 29 shooting of Steve Perkins. The fatal shooting of the black man in front of his own home has sparked regular protests in the northern Alabama city. Perkins, 39, was killed by a police officer as officers accompanied a tow truck driver who attempted to impound Perkins’ truck.
Decatur police said in an initial public statement that officers were called to the scene by the tow truck driver, who said the homeowner pulled a gun. Police said the man, identified as Perkins, later threatened the driver and “pointed the gun at one of the officers.” Perkins’ family has disputed the police version of events.
“I found reason to believe that the policy was violated and the final report and findings were sent late this afternoon to the Legal Department and outside counsel to prepare formal documents to move the disciplinary process forward,” Pinion wrote in a statement.
Pinion said the city’s mayor will conduct a review and “make a final determination as to whether discipline is warranted and to what extent.” He said the officer who fired the shots remains on administrative leave. The department has not released the officer’s name or race.
Video from a neighbor’s surveillance camera, published by WAFF, captured the shooting. The video shows the tow truck pulling back into the driveway. An officer is heard shouting, “Police, get on the ground,” and shots are immediately fired in rapid succession. Police have not released surveillance footage of the shooting.
An attorney representing the Perkins family told The Associated Press last month that Perkins seemed unaware officers were there before immediately opening fire on him. Perkins’ family released a statement saying payments for the truck were up to date, so the truck should not have been towed.
Perkins’ brother, Nick Perkins, told WAFF there is a “slight sense of relief” to hear the police chief acknowledge that policy was violated, but that the investigation took too long.
“We saw the cameras. We have seen the video footage,” said Nick Perkins.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the shooting.
“This has been a very painful chapter for Decatur and I recognize that healing for many will not occur until all information that can be released is made public and all violations of policy and state law are finalized and any potential lawsuits are resolved,” Pinion wrote. .