The state is still being rocked by the Thanksgiving night killing of 21-year-old Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. in the Riverchase Galleria by a Hoover police officer.
A new Care2 petition is calling on Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) to open an investigation into the shooting of Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. The Care2 petition has already gathered nearly 10,000 signatures.
“This is just another example of racial profiling,” reads the Care2 petition. “Another example of how the 2nd amendment is used as a shield for some and a death sentence for others, and a tragic story of how yet another innocent black man has died at the hands of law enforcement.”
Hoover Police originally said that Bradford was the shooter in a fight over shoes and that the killing was justified. When the bullets taken out of the 18-year-old male wounded in the shoe store fight did not match Bradford’s gun, the police claimed that Bradford was “brandishing” his gun and had somehow been involved in the shoe store. They now appear to have backed down from the story and have apologized to Bradford’s family.
The family claims they have eyewitness accounts saying that Bradford Jr. was actually trying to help people to safety when he was shot in the face by the off duty Hoover police officer who was providing private security for the Riverchase Galleria.
“Emantic deserves justice,” states the Care2 petition. “The Hoover Police Department and the officer should be held accountable for what they did to Mr. Bradford Jr. and the heartbreak they have brought to his family.”
Earlier this month, over 52,000 signed a different Care2 petition calling on the Illinois Attorney General to investigate the slaying by police of security guard Jemel Roberson who was actively trying to detain a shooter while on the job when he was shot by police.
Care2 (www.Care2.com) describe themselves as, “A network of nearly 50 million people around the globe standing together, starting petitions and sharing stories that inspire action. We use our cutting-edge technology and team of experienced campaigners to fuel the progressive movement by uniting our members with nonprofits and mission-based brands working on the causes they care about. A pioneer of online advocacy since 1998, Care2 is a social enterprise, using the power of business as a force for good.”
On Monday, Black Lives Matter organized a protest at Hoover City Hall that shut down Highway 31 as the protesters marched to the Riverchase Galleria. On Tuesday, protesters gathered outside of the home of Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato.
On Monday, the City of Hoover issued an apology to the family of Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr.
“We want everyone who lives in, works in, works for, or visits Hoover to know that we are a city that puts safety and respect in the highest regard for all citizens,’’ officials said. “We will be transparent throughout the course of this investigation.”
“Beginning today, we will provide weekly updates to news media each Monday by 10:30 a.m. Central time,” officials said. “We hope this helps keep the media and the public informed of what we know and are able to share without jeopardizing the investigation. We will also keep the public informed of any developments through our website and the social media pages belonging to the City and to the Police Department. Should significant developments occur prior to any given regular Monday update, we will provide that news as soon as we can.”
“Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are extended to the families of those affected by the traumatic events surrounding the officer-involved shooting last Thursday evening, November 22, 2018,” they continued. “We extend sympathy to the family of Emantic J. Bradford of Hueytown, who was shot and killed during Hoover police efforts to secure the scene in the seconds following the original altercation and shooting. The loss of human life is a tragedy under any circumstances.”
The investigation is being handled by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
