HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — The family of an 18-year-old who died following an interaction with a police officer in Homewood last weekend is getting ready to sue the city over his death.

Jabari People died June 22 at UAB Hospital, less than an hour after allegedly being shot in the back by an officer with the Homewood Police Department during an interaction the department described as an “altercation.” The department has maintained that Peoples was shot after he reportedly reached for a gun during the encounter, despite no evidence of a gun being given.

On Wednesday, attorneys representing Peoples’ family filed a petition to sue both the city of Homewood and the officer involved in the shooting. In the petition, attorney Leroy Maxwell asked to gather testimony and preserve evidence in “an anticipated wrongful death action.”

This evidence includes incident reports, autopsy findings and any bodycam footage that captured the shooting. The family has sought the footage since Peoples’ death, but the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has declined to do so, claiming it would hinder its investigation into the case.

“Petitioner has a good-faith basis to believe that the force used by John Doe was excessive and violated decedent’s constitutional and statutory rights,” the petition stated.

In the wake of Peoples’ death, several different city officials have expressed support for the bodycam footage to be released.

“In moments like this, transparency is essential,” city councilmember Jennifer Andress wrote in a social media post. “The City of Homewood and the Peoples family have both communicated to ALEA their support for the release of the body camera footage, with the hope that it can provide the Peoples family and our community with greater clarity and peace.”

Councilman Carlos Aleman echoed Andress’ statement, adding that ALEA’s denial to release the video was “heatbreaking.”

“There are two matters at hand: the ongoing investigation being conducted by ALEA. Second—and just as important—is the matter of transparency,” Aleman said. “Families deserve clarity. They deserve answers. They deserve more than silence.”

The case remains under investigation.