HOMEWOOD, Ala. — A police shooting on Green Springs Highway Friday morning has left John Will dead and reignited difficult conversations in Homewood about use of force and public trust.
The shooting happened just before 10 a.m. near Red Mountain Plaza, north of Valley Avenue. Authorities said officers encountered Will along the busy roadway, though officials have not released details about what led to the confrontation. Emergency crews rushed him to UAB Hospital, where he died a short time later. No officers were injured in the incident.
Police quickly closed off portions of Green Springs Highway as crime scene tape and flashing lights marked the area. Shoppers and commuters who frequent the corridor described a chaotic scene, with heavy law enforcement presence and helicopters circling overhead. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has taken over the investigation, a standard step intended to ensure an independent review of officer-involved shootings.
While officials have not commented on body camera footage or whether Will was armed, the case has already drawn significant attention given recent history in Homewood. Less than three months ago, on June 23, police fatally shot Jabari Peoples, an 18-year-old from Aliceville, during a confrontation at a city soccer park. After reviewing that case, Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr ruled the shooting justifiable. Peoples’ family strongly disputed the decision, vowing to continue fighting for accountability. Their grief and anger sparked protests across the area, with multiple arrests following demonstrations that called for greater oversight of police.
The death of John Will adds another layer to the ongoing tension. Community advocates are already urging transparency from investigators and accountability for officers if wrongdoing is found. “The public deserves to know exactly what happened,” one local activist said. “We cannot afford another unanswered tragedy.”
Homewood Police Chief and city officials have not yet released a statement, though they are expected to address the public once initial findings from ALEA are available. For now, investigators are interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, and reviewing officer reports to determine the sequence of events that ended with Will’s death.
As the community waits for answers, the atmosphere remains heavy. Residents have expressed both sorrow and frustration, with some calling for reforms in police training and engagement. Others say they are waiting for the facts before passing judgment. What is clear, however, is that the death of John Will will not be easily forgotten in Homewood — a city now grappling with its second fatal police shooting in three months.
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