Galleria Mall Shooter Could be at Large
The man killed by police in a mall shooting Thanksgiving night was likely not the shooter, according to Hoover police. Investigators now believe that more than two individuals were involved in the initial altercation and the shooter is still at large.
According to a statement issued by Hoover police Friday night, 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford was fleeing the shooting scene, but new evidence shows he likely wasn’t the one who fired shots that injured two people.
The incident occurred at 9:45 pm Thursday when two men got into a fight on the second floor of the Riverchase Galleria on Thanksgiving night when shoppers came out in droves to find early Black Friday deals. Police said one of the men was armed and shot an 18-year-old man and also injured a 12-year-old girl. Bradford was shot and killed by a uniformed Hoover Police officer.
The Hoover Police Department requested that the case be investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. However, Jefferson County district attorney Mike Anderton announced the incident will be investigated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) because of an internal conflict of interest within the sheriff’s office. The Hoover Police Department will assist ALEA in their efforts to determine the facts of the case. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. His name has not been released.
Anyone with information or video evidence of the incident should contact ALEA investigators or Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777.
Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis
Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring a Community Engagement Producer
The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking a curious, creative and collaborative professional to work with our regional team to build up engaged journalism efforts.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
Alabama’s racial, ethnic health disparities are ‘more severe’ than other states, report says
Data from the Commonwealth Fund show that the quality of care people receive and their health outcomes worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What’s your favorite thing about Alabama?
That's the question we put to those at our recent News and Brews community pop-ups at Hop City and Saturn in Birmingham.
Q&A: A former New Orleans police chief says it’s time the U.S. changes its marijuana policy
Ronal Serpas is one of 32 law enforcement leaders who signed a letter sent to President Biden in support of moving marijuana to a Schedule III drug.
