Month After the Tragic Death of Stephen Perkins: DECATUR, Ala. Its been a month since we lost Stephen Perkins to the hands of Decatur’s finest. In these 30 days, the town’s seen its share of releases, protests, conferences, and prayers.
As we delve into the probe of Perkins’ passing, News 19 has pieced together a rundown of what we know so far.
Stephen, a 39-year-old soul, met his end in the wee hours of September 29th amid a tussle over a vehicle repo. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) claims Perkins aimed a weapon at an officer, who responded with lethal force.
Post-incident, Perkins was rushed to a local medical spot, meeting an untimely demise. Following Decatur Police protocol, the involved officer is on leave, and ALEA is on the case.
On that very day, the Perkins kinfolk spoke out. Their statement, echoing the deep trauma of their loss, urged Decatur to be forthcoming. Decatur, Alabama, and its Police Department should face this tragedy with proactivity and, above all, transparency in dealing with us, the family, and the entire Decatur community,” the release emphasized.
Highlighting a lack of footage disclosure, the family pressed for the release of body camera recordings. They pointed out that the city holds these recordings, which should have captured the incident. Surveillance from home cameras, meanwhile, tells a tale of unjust and excessive force.
ALSO READ: Alabama Mother Faces Charges: After Newborn Tragic Discovery in Dumpster
In defense of Perkins’ character, the family portrayed him as a family-oriented, young Black man striving for excellence. They countered rumors, presenting financial receipts as evidence that Clays monthly payments were up to date. There’s no proof, they claimed, that Clays vehicle was under active repossession.
The family concluded their statement, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident. “We call for justice to be served, the removal of officers involved, and answers from the city. No administrative leave we seek true justice,” they affirmed.