More Arrests Made In Hoover Protests

HOOVER, AL - With no real timeline announced involving the investigation into EJ BRadford's death at the hands of a Hoover police officer, protests continue in the city of Hoover, with police now making arrests as the demonstrations become increasingly less peaceful.

Tuesday night, protest organizer and local civil rights activist Carlos Chaverst Jr. was arrested when he and a group of approximately 30 others showed up to demonstrate at the Hoover Public Safety Center.

Another arrest was made in Mountain Brook when Sherette Spicer was pulled over by MBPD and determined to have a warrant for her arrest surrounding the Dec. 4 protests that shut down Interstate 459. The arrests of Spicer and Chaverst make a total of five people arrested thus far in connection with the protests.

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Since Bradford’s death, multiple protests have been held in Hoover -- including the Galleria, outside Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato’s home, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Buffalo Wild Wings and on Interstate 459, where protests briefly shut down traffic at the Interstate 65 interchange. Last Thursday night, a group of about 60 took their protest to Ross Bridge and later the YMCA on Highway 150 at South Shades Crest Road.

In their weekly update Monday regarding the Bradford case, city officials said they have consistently stated their support for each individual's right to peacefully assemble. "However, some of these protests have taken an unsafe turn and violent or otherwise dangerous actions that have the potential to threaten or injure our residents and visitors will not be allowed. We continue to support the community's right to safely protest, while at the same time maintaining the safety of our entire community. Individuals violating the law will be prosecuted."

Protesters have convened throughout the city nightly to demand justice and to demand that the video footage be released, although scheduled protests to take place at some Hoover schools have been thwarted by police at the request of the schools. Video footage of the shooting has, however, been viewed by Bradford's attorneys.

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

The suspect in the shooting, 20-year-old Erron Brown, was captured in Georgia by U.S. Marshals. Charles Salvagio, who is representing Brown, filed a routine discovery motion along with a special request for all video evidence. Salvagio maintains that Brown is innocent.

Photo by Renee Schivone/Patch