On April 15, 2025, Paulette Tennison Sanders, Scott’s mother, called Decatur police twice because her son was suffering from a mental health episode, likely caused by not taking his medication.
Initially, police arrived with a mental health liaison, and after a brief conversation, they left, determining Scott was not a danger to himself or others.
However, later that evening, Scott’s condition worsened, and his mother called the police again. This time, five officers and paramedics arrived.
A 28-minute body camera video released by Decatur police shows Scott having a calm, civil conversation with the officers for over 13 minutes before they decided to arrest him for an outstanding warrant related to a 2021 speeding ticket.
When officers attempted to handcuff Scott, he fell to the ground, causing him to panic. Despite apologizing repeatedly, police grew more aggressive, tasering him and punching him several times. In the video, Scott is heard saying, “I can’t breathe,” as officers respond, “You can breathe, stand up.”
Scott was then placed in a patrol car and taken to the Morgan County Jail. It was there, during booking, that he began showing signs of medical distress. He was later transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital after experiencing a heart attack and kidney failure.
A Death That Sparks Outrage
Despite efforts to save Scott, he passed away in the hospital a week later on April 22, 2025. His mother, Paulette Tennison Sanders, created a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for funeral expenses. She described the devastating moment she learned of her son’s death:
“My son was taken by the LEO (law enforcement officers) to the hospital, where he lay lifeless fighting for his life. He experienced a massive heart attack and went into kidney failure.”
The family is now seeking justice for Scott’s death, which they believe was directly caused by police actions.
The Investigation and Legal Response
Interim Decatur Police Chief Nadis Carlisle stated that the FBI and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are investigating the incident. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
Carlisle also suggested the incident may involve “excited delirium”, a controversial and debunked medical condition that has often been used to justify police use of force in similar situations. Critics argue that “excited delirium” has been used to excuse the deaths of individuals, especially Black men, during police encounters.
Nationally renowned attorney Lee Merritt, who also represents the family of Steve Perkins, a Black man killed by Decatur police in 2023, has been retained by the Jackson family.
Merritt stated that the family is preparing to file a lawsuit against the police department, seeking to investigate not only the circumstances surrounding Scott’s death but also the broader policies of the Decatur Police Department.
“Our office has been formally retained by the family of John Scott to investigate his arrest and incarceration, his death, and the policies that may have contributed to it,” Merritt said.
Outrage from the Community
The incident has sparked outrage from local leaders and advocates. Rodney Gordon, president of the Decatur NAACP, pointed out that the death of another Black man in police custody reflects a systemic problem in Decatur.
“Here we go again,” Gordon said, referring to the 2023 shooting of Steve Perkins. “How can you not change the officers and expect different results?”
David’s mother has been vocal in expressing how her son’s actions as a father and community member were far removed from the events that led to his tragic death. She shared how John had spent time with his son, Jax, giving lunch to the homeless in Birmingham as part of his community service.
“One day his dad came home with a trunk full of sandwich bread, peanut butter, chips. He came in and called Jax, and they started making sandwiches… That’s who John was to the core.”
The Legal Action and Family’s Demand for Justice
The Jackson family is demanding accountability and justice, especially for Black families who are disproportionately affected by police violence. They are calling for policy reforms within the Decatur Police Department and greater transparency in how such incidents are handled.
Statement from the Jackson Family:
“We hope that this tragedy will force the police department and the City of Decatur to make real changes that protect Black families from systemic violence,” said the Jackson family in a statement.