Police shot 21-year-old Emantic “E.J.” Fitzgerald Bradford three times from the back, according to the results of a private autopsy announced by his family’s lawyers.
This comes over a week after cops walked back their initial claim that the victim opened fire at a mall in Hoover, Alabama on Nov. 22. Investigators said Bradford shot and injured an 18-year-old man and a 12-year-old girl. That wasn’t true. Police later changed their story, and said there was a mistake. Bradford, who was at the scene and armed, probably did not hurt anyone, they said.
“New evidence now suggests that while Mr. Bradford may have been involved in some aspect of the altercation, he likely did not fire the rounds that injured the 18-year-old victim,” cops said in their update.
On Monday, attorney Ben Crump told reporters that bullets hit Bradford in the back, neck, and head.
Crump said Bradford did not have a criminal record, and added that he was honorably discharged from the Army.
Cops won’t detail their narrative as to what happened. They passed the investigation to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, who in turn gave it to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. On Monday, Hoover police chief Nick Derzis said the ALEA Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor asked that they not release evidence from the shooting. That includes video and audio of the incident.
“He has specifically asked that we do not release any potential evidence as it may not only jeopardize the integrity of the case, but also complicate or delay their efforts,” Derzis said in a statement obtained by Law&Crime.
Authorities arrested Erron Brown, 20, and claimed he was the real shooter. The 18-year-old was described as Bradford’s friend. The 12-year-old girl was a bystander.
Note: After the press conference, Hoover city officials recommended that the private autopsy results be submitted to the ALEA so it could become part of the investigation.
“We couldn’t agree more with Attorney Crump’s call for a thorough and complete investigation and for witnesses to come forward to assist in the search for the truth,” according to a statement obtained by Law&Crime. “We also agree with his call to refrain from speculation until the investigation is completed. Our sympathies are with the Bradford family as they, the community, and the City of Hoover, await ALEA’s complete investigation.”
[Screengrab via AL.com]