The initial shooting took place near Footaction. Police officers said a 21-year-old shot an 18-year-old male following an altercation. A 12-year-old female was struck at some point by a bullet.
Police officers responding to the scene said they had shot to death the gunman but the man they killed, identified as Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., was likely not the gunman, police said.
Investigators now say that more than two people were involved in the altercation and “this information indicates that there is at least one gunman still at-large, who could be responsible for the shooting of the 18-year-old male and 12-year-old female.”
“We regret that our initial media release was not totally accurate, but new evidence indicates that it was not,” the department added.
Military Man
Bradford had enlisted in the U.S. Army, said Carl Dean, a former teacher at his high school, Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham.Dean wasn’t sure whether Bradford was still active in the Army but doubted his former student shot someone.
“When I saw this morning that he was allegedly involved in causing the tragedy at the mall last night, I was shocked and in disbelief as well as heartbroken that this young man is no longer with us.”
It’s not clear whether Bradford shot at the responding officers.
The victims were rushed to nearby hospitals; the 18-year-old had serious injuries while the younger victim was alert and talking.
Shoppers Flee
Witnesses said people quickly fled the scene, as seen in the video at the top of the page, when the gunshots went off.Another shopper, Lexi Joiner, said she was shopping with her mother when approximately six or seven shots were fired. They were ordered into a nearby supply closet with other shoppers to take cover.
Another shopper, a high school senior, said that he went to his car and heard tires squealing as people fled the scene.
“This was my first Black Friday,” he said. “I knew it would be crazy, just not this crazy.”
Riverchase Galleria said in a statement that it was working with the police.
“We are devastated by the incident that happened tonight in our shopping center. We are working closely with the Hoover Police Department and are grateful for their swift action to contain the situation. While there is no current danger to our community, the shopping center will remain closed until further notice.”