Decatur police requests ALEA, FBI conduct investigation into death of John Scott Jr.

DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — A man hospitalized following his arrest by Decatur Police last week has died, according to his mother.

John Scott Jr.’s mother, Paulette Tennison-Sanders, posted on Facebook around 5:43 a.m. Tuesday said her son had died. “My son John Scott is no longer with us. He fought a good fight,” she wrote.

Below are some photos provided by Heather Scott and Whitney Johnson of Scott and his children.

She previously posted on Monday around 9:19 a.m. asking for prayers for her son and for her other children as they go through this time. “Please pray for healing my son LJ. Also pray for his brothers Jason Tennison and Kenneth Sanders and me as well. Thanks in advance.”

There will be a prayer vigil held for Scott on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Church at Stone River in Decatur.

The Decatur Police Department provided a statement following Scott’s death. The statement says Scott was taken to the Morgan County Jail but after an hour, jail staff noticed he was “exhibiting signs of medical distress.” From there, Scott was taken to the Decatur Morgan Hospital and then transferred to Huntsville Hospital for continued treatment.

The interim chief said he has requested independent investigative assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He said, “These agencies will conduct a thorough and impartial review into all circumstances surrounding Mr. Scott’s detainment, medical condition, and eventual passing.”

Scott’s mother told News 19 he was in a coma before he died Tuesday morning.

You can read the full statement below:

On April 15, 2025, John Daniel Scott Jr. was arrested on an outstanding Morgan County Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant, following a series of incidents likely linked to both medical and mental health struggles compounded by suspected drug-induced psychosis.

Mr. Scott was transported to the Morgan County Jail where he was placed in a cell by Morgan County jail staff after some difficulty, due to his size and passive resistance. Over an hour later, the jail staff noticed Mr. Scott was exhibiting signs of medical distress. The jail staff evaluated his condition and called Decatur Morgan EMS.

After an initial medical evaluation, Mr. Scott was transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital and subsequently transferred to Huntsville Hospital for continued treatment. Unfortunately, we were informed earlier today that Mr. Scott had passed away. We extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.

In the interest of transparency, accountability, and maintaining public trust, I have formally requested independent investigative assistance from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These agencies will conduct a thorough and impartial review into all circumstances surrounding Mr. Scott’s detainment, medical condition, and eventual passing.

We ask the public for patience and understanding as this investigation unfolds. There are multiple factors surrounding Mr. Scott’s death that may not be immediately apparent, and we believe it is in the best interest of the public and all parties involved to wait for the official determination of cause of death before drawing conclusions.

We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are fully committed to supporting a comprehensive and transparent investigation. The Decatur Police Department will cooperate completely with ALEA, the FBI, and any other appropriate investigative bodies involved in this case. To preserve the integrity of the independent review, the department will refrain from issuing further comments until the investigation concludes.
Decatur Police Department Interim Chief Nadis Carlisle

Scott was placed under arrest on April 15 at Brookridge Apartments after two encounters with Decatur Police officers.

The original call came to law enforcement from Scott’s mother, Paulette Tennison-Sanders, who said he was acting out of character. Police said that the first encounter ended without issue.

“Upon arrival, the responding officer spoke with the complainant and made contact with her son, John Daniel Scott Jr. The officer spent nearly an hour engaging with Scott before clearing the scene without incident,” DPD said.

Decatur Police say officers responded to Brookridge Apartments again later that night around 8:15 p.m. Then, DPD said officers found Scott sweating and acting erratically, and EMS was called.

Scott reportedly had an active failure to appear warrant from Morgan County, and the department said the arrest came after an “extended period of non-compliance.”

“Officers strongly encouraged him to voluntarily board the ambulance for a mental health evaluation and medical care. Despite repeated efforts, he refused,” the department said. “After an extended period of non-compliance and concern for his well-being and public safety, officers made the decision to place Scott under arrest for the warrant.”

After officers decided to arrest Scott, DPD said he became combative. Officers can be seen tasing Scott several times. After a four-minute struggle, Scott was handcuffed and taken to the Morgan County Jail.

A spokesperson for the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office said Scott arrived at the jail at approximately 8:50 p.m. and was transported by medical at approximately 10:10 p.m. The sheriff’s office said he initially resisted and was non-compliant when he arrived. However, once inside booking, this stopped. 

They said Scott was cuffed when he arrived. Shackles were placed on his ankles to prevent him from kicking while being brought into booking. The cuffs and shackles were removed once he was placed in a holding cell. 

While in the holding cell, he was conscious and interacted with Correction Officers until medical attention was needed.

On April 18, DPD released body camera video of the situation. The footage begins at 8:15 p.m. the night of the arrest, when authorities responded to the call. You can watch that footage here.

Decatur Police Chief Nadis Carlisle released a statement regarding the incident after the bodycam footage was circulating on social media. You can read his statement below:

“On April 18, 2025, the Decatur Police Department released body-worn camera footage related to a use-of-force incident that occurred on April 15, 2025. Today, I am providing additional details regarding the events that unfolded before and after that incident.

Initial Call – Brookridge Apartments (#1)

The first 911 call was placed by a woman identifying herself as Paulette Tennison. She reported that her adult son, John Daniel Scott Jr., had refused to return her cellphone. Before the responding officer arrived, she called back to report that the phone had been returned.

Out of an abundance of caution, an officer still responded to ensure Tennison’s safety. In many domestic situations, it’s not uncommon for an assailant to take a victim’s cellphone to prevent them from seeking help. In this case, however, there was no indication of harm.

Upon arrival, the officer spoke with both Tennison and her son. The conversations included concerns about Scott’s mental health. Tennison assured the officer that she was in no danger. She also expressed concerns that her son might be off his medication. She was irritated with her son’s behavior. She also said it would take someone that knows Scott to know he was having a “mental breakdown” because that’s when he starts talking excessively. She was concerned that strangers would not recognize the symptoms.

The officer on scene heard Tennison’s concerns and contacted our Mental Health Liaison to relay information regarding Scott’s mental health status after he cleared from the scene. Based on the information shared, it was determined he was not an imminent threat of harm to himself or others and did not meet criteria for forced hospitalization. Officers also recognized what they believed to be signs consistent with the use of illicit substances.

Second Call – Brookridge Apartments (#2)

Later the same day, officers were called back to the apartment complex due to concerns about Scott’s behavior, which now appeared to involve a potential mental health crisis, possibly worsened by the use of illicit substances.

Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, officers called for an ambulance and made multiple attempts to persuade Scott to voluntarily go to the hospital for assessment and treatment. Once on scene, staff with ambulance services also recognized that Scott did not meet the level of need for forced intervention.

After a Morgan County warrant was confirmed to match Scott’s personal identifiers, he was given the choice to go to the hospital voluntarily or be taken into custody. When Scott refused both options and declined to comply with lawful commands, officers attempted to arrest him. He physically resisted, and the situation quickly escalated. Officers used a Taser, delivered several physical strikes, and executed a physical takedown in an effort to safely gain control and prevent harm to Scott and others.

Custody and Medical Emergency

Following the incident, Scott was transported to the Morgan County Jail, where custody was officially transferred to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. During the booking process, Scott continued to actively resist the efforts of correctional officers. He was placed in a cell and later began showing signs of medical distress.

The jail staff called for an ambulance and Scott was transported to Decatur Morgan Hospital where he experienced a medical emergency that required life-saving measures. We are actively monitoring his condition and remain in contact with his family.

It is important to note that this incident may involve what is medically referred to as excited delirium, a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in individuals undergoing extreme agitation, often influenced by mental health issues or substance use. A final determination will be made by medical professionals.

Ongoing Investigation

In accordance with department policy, an internal investigation was initiated immediately. We are also cooperating fully with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, medical professionals, and any relevant oversight agencies to ensure a complete and transparent review of the incident.

The Decatur Police Department is committed to full transparency and accountability. As more information becomes available and verified, we will continue to provide timely updates. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as this investigation proceeds.”
Nadis Carlisle

DPD’s mental health liaison, Kate Anderson, told News 19 the officers involved followed de-escalation training in this incident.

“In the de-escalation part, they did everything that I asked them to do. They had calm voices, and they used his name. They also used short sentences and didn’t overload him with questions or directions,” Anderson explained. “Mr. Scott was alert and oriented and did not meet the criteria for forced hospitalization.  I was very proud of the way that they talked to him calmly; they talked to him one at a time. They provided him with options and explained those options.”