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Family of slain woman urges more action; residents also raise concerns about police engagement after shooting
Summary
A widower whose wife was fatally shot asked the council and police for more urgency and updates on an unsolved homicide; other callers described delayed reports and poor public interactions after a shooting and urged improved training and communication from police.
A family member of a homicide victim asked Montgomery police and the council for more frequent updates and resources on an unsolved murder, and another speaker later raised concerns about how police engage with citizens after shootings.
Willie Smith introduced himself as the husband of Barbara Smith and said the family has received only two updates on the investigation since her death on Feb. 11, 2025. He urged more resources and urgency: "My wife...deserves justice," he said, and requested a meeting with police staff to review the case and receive more information.
Later in the session, Joe Purnell described a separate shooting incident and said police did not take a report or collect video evidence when officers first arrived; Purnell said a report was not written until several hours later after his son reached a hospital. He urged better training and patience in police‑public interactions and said personnel shortages should not excuse lapses in procedure.
Council response: Council members acknowledged the requests and asked the police chief to arrange a meeting with Willie Smith to provide additional case information. The chief and staff face a request to review internal procedures for responding to shootings and to ensure timely, thorough reporting when officers arrive at scenes.
No formal new resources or policy changes were recorded in the work session; the record shows a family request for a meeting and council direction for the police chief's office to follow up.
