Perkins et al v. City of Decatur, Alabama

On March 27, 2026, in Decatur, Alabama, police officer Michael Reed shot and killed Marcus Perkins during a traffic stop. According to the complaint, Perkins, an unarmed Black man, was pulled over for a minor equipment violation. The encounter rapidly escalated, with Reed deploying a taser before fatally shooting Perkins within seconds. The Perkins family filed a federal lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. §1983, alleging excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment, racial discrimination, and a municipal custom of condoning unconstitutional policing. Body camera footage, though partially obstructed, captured the chaotic scene. The case draws comparisons to prior Decatur police shooting controversies, intensifying scrutiny of local law enforcement practices and the doctrine of qualified immunity.

As of June 2026, the case is in early litigation. The defendants have moved to dismiss based on qualified immunity and state-law immunity defenses. No settlement has been reached, and a trial date has not yet been set. The Department of Justice has opened a preliminary inquiry into the Decatur Police Department's use-of-force patterns.

Whether Officer Reed's use of deadly force was objectively reasonable under the Fourth Amendment; whether the City of Decatur failed to train, supervise, and discipline officers, thereby fostering a culture of excessive force; and whether qualified immunity shields the officer from liability.

The shooting galvanized widespread protests in Decatur and the greater North Alabama region, prompting the city council to vote on an independent civilian review board ordinance. The incident has reinvigorated state-level debate over restricting qualified immunity and mandating de-escalation training, becoming a focal point for national advocacy groups fighting police violence.