The mother of a 16-year-old boy has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Mobile and police officers involved in a fatal no-knock raid that took place in November 2023.
The case highlights growing concerns about police tactics in Alabama and raises important questions about accountability in wrongful death situations.
The Incident
In the early morning hours of November 13, 2023, SWAT officers executed a no-knock warrant at the family home of Randall Adjessom in Mobile.
According to court documents, the raid occurred around 5:30 a.m. while the 16-year-old and his family members—including his mother, aunt, grandmother, and three sisters—were asleep.
The warrant targeted Randall’s older brother for suspected marijuana possession and distribution. However, the brother wasn’t present and reportedly didn’t even live at the residence.
When officers breached the door with a battering ram, Randall emerged from his bedroom with a firearm.
The lawsuit, citing sealed body camera footage, claims that once the teen realized he was confronting law enforcement, he retreated with his hands raised. Despite this, an officer shot Adjessom four times within 11 seconds of entering the home.
The complaint further alleges that officers failed to provide adequate medical care. Despite the emergency room being only eight minutes away, Adjessom wasn’t transported there until 50 minutes after being shot.
The Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Filed in federal court in Mobile, the lawsuit names the city and unidentified officers as defendants. Akouvi Adjessom, Randall’s mother, is represented by attorneys Elizabeth A. Bailey, Cynthia B. Morgan, and Steven A. Medina, who described the death as an “unquestionably foreseeable and preventable tragedy.”
“They’re supposed to be peace officers, aren’t they? How many more young Black boys like Randall have to be buried following police brutality before the MPD’s legendary culture of unchecked excessive force is finally put to rest,” Akouvi Adjessom stated.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and alleges that Randall was “killed in cold blood.”
Legal Scrutiny of No-Knock Warrants
This case adds to the growing national conversation about no-knock warrants, which allow law enforcement to enter premises without announcing their presence. These controversial tactics came under intense scrutiny following the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, in March 2020.
In response to public outcry, the U.S. Department of Justice limited the use of no-knock warrants in 2021, requiring federal agents to obtain approval from federal prosecutors and supervisory law enforcement before executing such warrants.
In Mobile, an ordinance that would have banned no-knock warrants failed to pass the city council in March 2024, despite community pressure following multiple high-profile police shootings.
Mobile’s History of Police Incidents
Randall Adjessom’s death was one of four high-profile police killings that sparked public outcry in Mobile, eventually leading to an investigation of the Mobile Police Department. Former federal prosecutor Kenyen Brown conducted the investigation at the request of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson.
The resulting 100-page report, published in May 2024, found that while the officer who shot Adjessom complied with the city’s use of force policy because Adjessom was armed and considered a threat, the decision to execute the warrant before dawn did not adequately prioritize “the sanctity of life.”
The report noted that officers had a “preconceived notion” that the home’s occupants were dangerous, despite there being “no indication that any of the occupants had violent histories, and the target’s only felony was for marijuana.”
The investigation also revealed broader issues within the department, citing “numerous constitutional violations including the beating of a handcuffed suspect, the going into or the attempt to go into cell phones repeatedly, the denigration of suspects of deadly force during press conferences, the illegal and unconstitutional detentions without probable cause.”
How Alabama Law Addresses Wrongful Death
Under Alabama law, wrongful death claims operate differently than in many other states. Alabama is unique in that damages in wrongful death cases are entirely punitive rather than compensatory.
This means that rather than compensating the family for their loss, the damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Only the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Alabama, and the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of death. In cases involving government entities like police departments, special notice requirements and shorter time frames often apply.
When police conduct is at issue, cases may be filed in federal court (as in the Adjessom case) under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, alleging violations of constitutional rights. These cases often focus on Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What Families Need to Know
For Alabama families who lose a loved one due to potential negligence or misconduct, understanding your legal rights is crucial:
- Preservation of evidence: Securing body camera footage, witness statements, and physical evidence early is critical to building a case.
- Notice requirements: Claims against government entities typically require specific notices within a short timeframe—sometimes as little as six months.
- Independent investigation: Families should consider working with attorneys who can conduct investigations independent of official police inquiries.
- Federal vs. state claims: Depending on the circumstances, cases may be pursued in state court, federal court, or both.
The outcome of the Adjessom family’s lawsuit could have significant implications for police practices in Mobile and potentially across Alabama.
As this case moves through the federal court system, it will likely continue to raise important questions about accountability, police tactics, and justice for families who lose loved ones in controversial circumstances.
How Baxley Maniscalco Can Help
If you’ve lost a family member due to the potential negligence or misconduct of others, contact Baxley Maniscalco for a consultation to understand your legal rights.
Our experienced wrongful death attorneys in Alabama can guide you through the complex process of seeking justice in wrongful death matters.
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