Alabama police suggest that "Emantic" EJ "Bradford Jr., killed in a mall, should not have held his gun

HOOVER, Alabama –

Police in Alabama promised transparency Monday after a weekend of protests in response to the complaint of an officer who had fired at a black man who had pulled out his legally licensed gun after shooting in a mall .

Hoover police first described the officer as "heroic" for shooting down Emantic "EJ" Bradford Jr. after two people were injured at the Riverchase Galleria mall on the night of Thanksgiving night in Birmingham. Then they retracted, claiming that it was "unlikely" that Bradford was involved.

Bradford's father said his son was a 21-year-old veteran with a license to carry a firearm. The statement issued by police Monday morning suggested that Bradford should not have withdrawn.

"We can say with certainty that Mr. Bradford brandished a firearm in the seconds following the shots, which immediately heightened the feeling of threat to police officers reacting to the chaotic scene. ", says the statement from the city of Hoover and its police department.

"We express our condolences to the family of Emantic J. Bradford, of Hueytown, who was shot dead during the Hoover Police's efforts to ensure the safety of the scene in the seconds that followed the altercation and firing. Losses in human life are a tragedy in all circumstances, "the statement said.

Bradford's parents appeared on CNN later Monday morning, saying the police had still not spoken to them. They want to see a video with a body camera and they hired a lawyer, Ben Crump, to help them defend their civil rights.

"We do not trust the police department because he's already lied to them." They published his picture around the world saying that he was the shooter and that the policeman was a hero, "he said. Crump said.

Crump said that several witnesses had contacted the family, claiming that the officer had shot Bradford "in a few milliseconds", without saying a word to him.

"It does not matter if you're a good guy with a gun, if you're black, the police shoot you, kill you and ask questions later," Crump said.

According to Monday's police statement, "a video with a body camera and other available videos were immediately handed over to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department as part of the investigation. Evidence has now been given to the Alabama Police Agency (ALEA) to conduct the investigation. The broadcast of any video will be conducted as the FTAA deems appropriate during the course of the investigation. of the investigation. "

Police also expressed sympathy for the family of the 18-year-old man and the 12-year-old girl who had been injured in the first shootings and said that they "were pursuing the initial shooter. who is always on the run.