A tragic update in the Alabama mall shooting has angered many after it was revealed an aspiring Army soldier was killed by the police.
In several statements released to the public, Hoover police rescinded reports that Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., 21, had fired the rounds that left an 18-year-old and a 12-year-old hospitalized on Thanksgiving day (Nov. 22). Hoover police spokesman Capt. Gregg Rector initially reported Bradford was in an argument with the 18-year-old who was shot in the torso twice. A 12-year-old girl was shot in the back during the shooting.
CNN reports Bradford was seen fleeing the scene and holding a weapon. Police believe he was “involved in some aspect of the altercation, he likely did not fire the rounds that injured the 18-year-old victim,” but many are disputing he was involved at all.
Bradford, known to his friends as E.J., was the son of a Birmingham police officer. His Facebook page claimed he was a U.S. Army combat engineer, but an Army spokesman told CNN he never completed Advanced Individual Training and did not serve in the Army.
Those familiar with E.J. claimed he did enlist in the Army and was home for the holidays. A former teacher at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School, where E.J. attended in Birmingham confirmed that he did enlist in the Army. Witnesses also claimed because it was assumed E.J. was the shooter, police delayed medical treatment, leaving him to die at the scene of the shooting.
Authorities noted the gunman is still on the run. “We regret that our initial media release was not totally accurate, but new evidence indicates that it was not,” Rector said. He also added more than two people were involved in the shooting.
— Hoover Police Dept (@HooverPD) November 24, 2018
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are now investigating the shooting and the officer involved. At the time of the incident, the unidentified officer was placed on administrative duty.
READ MORE: 2 Injured, Gunman Allegedly Killed In Alabama Mall Shooting