FOX10 Investigates: Federal Judge keeps Semmes officer personnel files confidential in shooting case

SEMMES, Ala. (WALA) - A federal judge has ruled in the legal battle over whether Semmes police officer personnel files will be kept confidential in the civil rights lawsuit filed by a business owner shot five times by officers inside his own building.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sonja F. Bivins signed a protective order July 10, ordering that personnel files, medical files, salary information, and tax records produced during the lawsuit be treated as confidential — shielding them from public view during the discovery process.

The ruling comes days after both sides filed competing motions on July 8 — the same night Part One of the FOX10 Investigates series on the shooting aired.

The Core Fight

Attorneys for the City of Semmes, Officers Austin Collier and Brandon Murphy, and Police Chief Todd Freind had asked the court to keep officer personnel files confidential, arguing their release would “further taint the jury pool in a case that has already been the subject of media attention.”

Hours later, Bowman’s attorney Bryan Comer filed a separate motion pushing back — arguing the city misrepresented his client’s position and that personnel files should not be automatically kept confidential. Comer’s team argued there is a strong public interest in transparency, citing federal case law that says civil rights cases under Section 1983 demand “an especially strong interest in transparency.”

Judge Bivins sided with the city’s request. Under the protective order, personnel files and medical records are designated confidential and can only be accessed by parties, their attorneys, court personnel, and witnesses involved in the case.

Personnel files for law enforcement officers can contain disciplinary history, prior complaints, use-of-force records, and training documentation.

Officers Promoted

Meanwhile, both officers involved in the shooting received promotions at this week’s Semmes City Council meeting, according to the City of Semmes Facebook page. Austin Collier was promoted to Sergeant and Brandon Murphy was promoted to Corporal.

Where Both Sides Agreed

Despite the dispute over personnel files, both sides agreed on several points:

• Medical records should remain confidential
• Tax, wage information, and home addresses should remain confidential
• Body camera footage of the shooting is not confidential — defendants already released it to the media
• Semmes Police Department policies and procedures are not confidential

Background

FOX10 News has covered this story since January 4, 2026, when Johnny Bowman Jr. was shot five times by Semmes officers inside his business, Bowman’s Auto Air on Moffett Road. Officer Murphy was grazed by a bullet during the shootout. Police say they were investigating a possible burglary at the business when they encountered Bowman inside a camper.

A Mobile County grand jury cleared all parties involved, finding both the officers and Bowman acted in a legally reasonable manner. Bowman subsequently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Officers Collier and Murphy, the City of Semmes, and Chief Freind.

FOX10 Investigates fought for months to obtain the full 90-minute body camera video of the shooting after the City of Semmes released the footage to other news outlets but refused to share it with FOX10.

What Both Sides Have Said

Semmes Mayor Brandon Van Hook defended the officers’ actions, saying: “We have what we call proactive patrolling. That means, if we have businesses, we want an officer to stop by if my door is open and see what’s going on. No officer at 3 o’clock in the morning is going to think that somebody is sleeping inside a business with the door wide open.”

Bowman’s attorney Bryan Comer countered: “It was clear he was asleep. The lights were off. You can see that in the video. In fact, one of the officers, I believe it was Officer Murphy, noted that he was wearing a CPAP or an oxygen mask. He did have every right to be there. He didn’t violate any law by sleeping there. Again, he wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was asleep inside his business.”

What’s Next

The protective order remains in effect throughout the lawsuit and any appeals. Either party can challenge a confidentiality designation.

FOX10 News will continue to follow developments in the federal civil rights lawsuit.