This is an opinion column.

Jamal D’Angelo Williams got himself shot and killed. A Birmingham police officer pulled the trigger, but it’s clear and understandable why.

Because we can see it.

Four days after the officer shot Williams in a Kingston neighborhood public housing complex, the Birmingham Police Department did something out of character for Alabama police departments, lately.

It showed us — the public — the tape.

Williams had been fighting and menacing a number of people on the street where he was shot. When police arrived, he had a gun in his hand. The officer had a split second to make a decision.

But don’t take my word for it. You can watch the video and see for yourself .

Unfortunately, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency seems unhappy that you can , and it’s a bit pe

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