EJ Bradford's Family To File Civil Rights Suit 1 Year After Death

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Exactly one year has passed since Emantic "EJ" Bradford was shot and killed by a Hoover police officer in the Riverchase Galleria. While the case may be considered closed by the justice system after the Alabama Attorney General's Office investigation determined the shooting to be justified, Bradford's family still seeks justice for his death.

Bradford, 21, and his friend Brian Wilson were involved in an altercation Thanksgiving night in 2018 at the Riverchase Galleria, which led to shots being fired. When a Hoover police officer arrived at the scene, he shot Bradford, who was holding a gun. Initial reports said Bradford was the shooter, but that was determined through the investigation to be false.

Bradford's family, along with attorney Benjamin Crump and a team of additional attorneys, held a press conference at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham on Friday to address the family's search for justice, and to discuss a lawsuit the family plans to file against the Hoover Police Department and other pending defendants. The lawsuit will be considered a federal civil rights lawsuit.

"The one thing we do know today is that the officer admits he did not give a verbal warning," said Crump. "In our heart of hearts, we know if EJ had been given a verbal warning, he would have responded lawfully and would be alive today."

Civil rights attorney Devon Jacob reiterated the issue surrounding the officer's actions leading up to the shooting. "EJ Bradford was the good guy in this situation, but because police shot first and asked questions later, EJ Bradford is no longer with us," Jacob said. "I can tell you as a former police officer that this incident should not have happened."

Jacob said he is looking at this case as more than just a shooting death. "This case is about the Second Amendment, really," Jacob said. "Everyone in this jurisdiction should be afraid. This is not just about one person being shot in the Galleria, it is about everyone's right to possess a handgun in this jurisdiction. The facts remain that the very first duty of this officer is to protect all innocent people. EJ withdrew his weapon lawfully and was immediately gunned down. This officer's actions violated standards and national policies that are in place. This case will cause change."

"I knew my son was a good kid," said EJ Bradford, Sr. "No parent needs to go through this. As a father, I know what my kid was like. I never had to worry about him. That night, I was at home, but Hoover didn't have the decency to call my home and tell me my son was dead."

Bradford, Sr. said he is "a hateful parent right now." He said the lawsuit will help prevent parents from having to go through what he and his family has.

"We want change because Thanksgiving is coming up next week and that mall is likely to be packed again," Crump said. "Will the police employ policies and procedures that are in accordance with trying to prevent the killing, unnecessarily, of innocent people? Will they give verbal commands or will they just shoot into crowds?"

One arrest in the case was made Nov. 29 last year. Erron Brown, 21, has been out on bond since then and no movement has been made in his case, and it has not gone to a grand jury. Brown is accused of shooting 18-year-old Brian Wilson and 12-year-old Molly Davis during the altercation at the mall. Both victims survived the shooting.