Armed Borrower Killed by Police in AL Repo

Decatur, AL – September 29, 2023 – Sometime after midnight Friday morning, a repossession agent made a repossession attempt in a quiet residential neighborhood when things got dangerous as the borrower reportedly pulled a gun. Wisely, the agent retreated. But when he returned with police, the situation turned deadly.

Shortly before 2am Friday morning, Decatur Police arrived at the scene of the aftermath of a failed repossession attempt at the 3900 block of Ryan Drive SW. According to the agent who had called them, 39-year-old Stephen Perkins, had pulled a handgun on him when confronted during his failed repossession attempt. Fleeing the scene, he called police.

Soon after their meeting with the agent, officers proceeded to the residence bringing the repossession agent with them. Upon arrival, Perkins reportedly emerged from the residence armed with a handgun and again threatened the repossessor.

The Decatur Police Department reported that they then ordered Perkins to drop the weapon. He did not.

Police report that Perkins turned the gun toward one of the officers. The officer then opened fire and struck him with an undisclosed number of rounds. A reported sixteen rounds struck a neighbors house high under the awning.

Aid was rendered at the scene before Perkins was rushed to Huntsville Hospital where he died from the injuries. No officers were injured during the incident.

The officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave and agents with the State Bureau of Investigation are investigating the shooting.

The Perkins’ family is obviously shocked over the incident and their loss. As are at least a hundred others who protested outside of the Decatur Police Department Sunday.

“While there are a lot of rumors circulating, the family has found financial receipts proving Clay’s monthly payments were processed through his financing company and no evidence of Clay’s vehicle being in an active status of repossession, therefore indicating, the Towing Company and City of Decatur Police Department wrongfully appeared at Clay’s home,” the statement said.

The family ended their statement by demanding a thorough investigation of the encounter.

“In this memorandum, the family is demanding a thorough investigation of the encounter held at Clay’s home on the morning of 29 September 2023,” the statement said. “We are calling actions of justice to be served. We are calling for the removal of officers who entered Clay’s home the morning of the event, removal of officers using excessive force, and answers of justice from the city. We do not call for administrative leave of officers involved also known as a ‘free vacation.’”

Source: WAFF