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The family of John Scott held a vigil to call for answers after his death following an arrest by Decatur Police and a medical episode in jail.

At The Church at Stone River on Thursday, tears filled the room as community members gathered to support Scott's family in their search for justice. The central question on everyone's mind: Why did this happen?

Curtis Taylor, a close friend of Scott, voiced his frustration over the recurring nature of incidents like Scott's death in Decatur.

"The city is about to erupt if this continues," Taylor said, adding that incidents like Scott's have happened too often in Decatur.

The investigation into Scott's death, which Decatur Police initially opened, has now been handed over to state and federal agencies. Taylor emphasized the need for accountability and action.

"Accountability needs to be held, justice needs to prevail, actions need to be taken," Taylor said. "The right thing needs to take place."

Scott's former high school football coach, Mitchell Knox, spoke to WAAY before the vigil and reflected on Scott's impact on those around him. Knox described Scott as a person who never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face.

"This is a great loss for the city of Decatur," Knox said. "He impacted a lot of lives, and not just young kids but everybody that was ever around him."

Marques Emerson, a friend of Scott who worked with him on various community projects, spoke about the need for more mental health resources in Decatur. Emerson stressed that the city needs to do more to help those in crisis.

"John did not deserve to die all because he was asking for help," Emerson said. "He was asking for help because he was having a crisis, and all he wanted was somebody to understand."

One central message echoed throughout the vigil: Silence is complacency. Many speakers voiced their hope that the community would rally around the Scott family, just as it has for the family of Steve Perkins.