Bradford was the 21-year-old Hueytown man killed by a Hoover policeman at the Riverchase Galleria on Thanksgiving night following a dispute that lead to the shooting of an 18-year-old man and 12-year-old girl. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. ", Rector said investigators now believe that more than two people were involved in the initial fight ahead of the shooting, 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.". Hoover police and firefighters responded about 1:30 p.m. to the fifth floor of the North Parking Deck. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. SOME OF THE PEOPLE WERE HERE LAST NIGHT IN THE CHAOS AND OTHERS HEARD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BUT STILL DECIDED TO CONTINUE THEIR SHOPPING CLAIMS THAT SHOPPING PLANS. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Furthermore, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency took over as lead investigator of the shootings. Police say there. There was an officer applying first aid and compress to stem the bleeding, he said. The former Pizitz/McRae's location simultaneously became available for occupancy. No lawsuits have been filed as of Monday afternoon. Hoover police Capt. Police initially thought Bradford Jr. was responsible for shooting two people but later retracted that statement. Doubt grew that Bradford was the initial shooter. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Their conditions were unknown Monday morning. We were in the middle of talking to one of the staff members about one of the dresses and then there was a loud bang followed by at least five other small bangs, the 28-year-old Vestavia Hills resident said. In 1996, Sears (which relocated from a nearby location) and a new wing were added, making Riverchase Galleria a total of 2,400,000 square feet (220,000m2) in size. "One of our Hoover officers did engage that individual, shot him and he is dead on the scene," Cpt. Gregg Rector said the incident began with a fight between two people, with one man pulling a gun and shooting an 18-year-old man twice in the torso. My partner and I were located on the second floor of the Galleria Mall in front of Spencers Gifts. [9], On November 22, 2018, at approximately 9:52 PM local time, an altercation involving four people occurred near the Footaction and JCPenney stores on the second level of the mall. Riverchase Galleria mall shooting: Two teens wounded, one shot dead outside Hoover, Alabama mall near Birmingham - CBS News U.S. Police officer kills man after Alabama mall shooting. [3] "Now, all evidence has been handed over to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to lead the investigation. The investigation is currently in the hands of the SBI, which will turn over its findings to the Jefferson County District Attorney. [6], Emantic "EJ" Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., of Hueytown, Alabama, was 21 years old. He did so at the risk of his own life. He had aspirations to become a rapper. And one adult female victim was transported by ambulance from the Galleria to UAB Hospital. [4][5] The shooting of Bradford was immediately controversial, and was condemned by the Alabama National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as an example of racially biased policing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. To the people who did this, if I could say anything to them, its I dont care about justice or anything like that,' she said. Some of the prohibited activities include: Any activity that threatens the safety of guests, tenants and/or employees. Riverchase Galleria Shooting The Latest: 6 a.m. - YouTube Team Coverage A Team Coverage A AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest. An eight-year-old boy later died after being shot in the evening, and three others were hospitalized with injuries and was treated in a local hospital. [2] Police responded to a shooting at the mall where two people were shot. About 200 people marched through an Alabama shopping mall to protest Bradford Jr.'s death, whom police erroneously believed was the gunman who shot and wounded two people. A cemetery posted a personal ad for a goose whose mate died. In May 2021, Belk closed its Home and Children location. Our hearts are simply broken at the tragic loss of Royta. You can spend the day shopping in more than 150 stores, people watching in the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama or fueling a night out with a delicious dish. [citation needed], The Galleria was opened on February 19, 1986, by developer Jim Wilson & Associates, initially 1,200,000 square feet (110,000m2) with four anchor stores two Birmingham-based chains, Parisian and Pizitz along with Atlanta-based Rich's and national retailer J. C. E.J. On June 26, 2019 Hoover police and firefighters responded about 1:30 p.m. to the fifth floor of the North Parking Deck. A gunman shot an 18-year-old man inside the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Alabama as the shopping mall filled with early Black Friday shoppers, and a 12-year-old girl was also shot in the. Six of those eight were transported to area hospitals, including a 70-year-old Montevallo woman who ultimately was airlifted to a Mobile hospital after suffering broken bones and internal bleed in a fall as thousands were fleeing the gunfire. "From the time that shooting took place, they engaged and it was safe within seconds that it happened," Derzis said. Brown fired the first shots in the mall that night. The 12-year-old injured in the shooting has been released from the hospital but the condition of others is not known. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). One of the teens, an 18-year-old, was struck and the other tried to flee the area but was confronted by two Hoover police officers. I have children, said Daniel. The next night, officials said that was "not totally correct. They determined that David Alexander; "Officer 1", as he was referred to in the report, "identified E.J. Gregg Rector said. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. [33] Additionally, the Alabama chapter of the NAACP issued a press release condemning the "extreme and excessive police force. Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato said this was an "isolated incident" and "something that could have happened anywhere in the country." This page was last edited on 5 February 2023, at 02:47. The Shelby County Sheriffs Office, the Alabama State Troopers and Pelham police are among other agencies who responded to the Galleria. Protests were organized by a Birmingham activist group called Justice League, calling for a boycott of the Galleria. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. In 1995, Parisian expanded its store by almost 66%. Two people were shooting at each other, and according to court documents, Officer Alexander fired the fatal shots at E.J. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. (ABC 33/40 via AP). Dannarious De Shon Washington and Michael Jabari Akamune were also charged with murder. ORIGINAL (7/3): Four people have been injured in a shooting at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover Friday afternoon, according to the Hoover Police Department. All of the sudden, shots rang out. Mayor Frank Brocato and Police Chief Nick Derzis held a press briefing Friday night. THE MALL SHUT DOWN FOLLOWING THE EVENTS. Bradford. We are working closely with the Hoover Police Department. RIP ROYTA This is Royta Giles Jr., the 8-year-old killed in the Riverchase Galleria shooting Friday afternoon. [7] Bradford had enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2017 and completed basic training, and was on leave in August 2018 before completing advanced individual training. Plan your visit Lease with us Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In January 2022, Macy's announced the closure of its store at Colonial Brookwood Village. I have never felt unsafe here.. She said Royta just finished the second grade at Jonesboro Elementary in Bessemer. As the brainchild of developer Jim Wilson, Hoover's Galleria at the recently completed intersection of I-459 and U.S. 31 was a quarter of a mile long and had at the time the nation's largest . "That's what got me off guard. "This is certainly a tragic situation when you have an innocent child who gets caught in the middle of an altercation between others," Derzis said. Jonesboro Elementary Principal Dr. Anjell Edwards and staff described him as a smart child, who was a jewel, with big dreams of someday entering the music industry. "You don't see that too often. [36], A meeting between the family of Bradford and Mayor Brocato, Chief Derzis, and Councilman Derrick Murphy occurred on November 28. In 2003, the Macy's anchor store closed and the Rich's location was renamed Rich's-Macy's. Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning. Just like the Riverchase Galleria, Greenwood Park Mall does not allow firearms on the property. Let's just have an open discussion on what will be the fallout of the Riverchase Galleria shooting. Captain Rector also stated that they believe the initial altercation may have more people involved than originally suspected, and clarified that a separate investigation by the Hoover Police Department would occur for the police shooting. Bradford. The gunfire erupted at 3:18 p.m. on the first floor of the state's largest mall. [12][13] The Wynfrey Hotel was renovated and rebranded as a Hyatt hotel, "The Hyatt Regency BirminghamThe Wynfrey Hotel".[14]. A gunman opened fire in an Alabama shopping mall, killing an 8-year-old boy and injuring a girl and two adults. HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) - An argument inside the Riverchase Galleria on July 3 ended in a shootout that killed an 8-year-old boy and injured 3 others, according to Hoover Police. I turned toward where I heard the gunshots and drew my firearm and moved in the direction of the sound of gunshots scanning for suspects. In November 2018, an altercation resulted in shots being fired and two injured at the Galleria during Black Friday weekend. At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son. On November 22, 2018, Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr., an African-American man, was shot three times from behind and killed by Hoover police officer David Alexander on the night of Thanksgiving, at the Riverchase Galleria shopping mall in Hoover, Alabama. Many shoppers who were hoping to take advantage of the Black Friday sales were thankful to be alive after the terrifying experience. WVTM 13S MARY OCONNELL IS AT THE MALL RIGHT NOW AN INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION IS GOING ON. A trail of blood leading to the South Parking deck also was found. It is made when a question of law needs to be decided. We are proud of our personnel tonight." This is tough, said Bessemer City Schools superintendent, Dr. Autumm Jeter. Rey, a specially trained canine, patrols the shopping center to detect firearms. Bradford. MARY: GOOD MORNING, EUNICE WE KNOW OFFICIALS ARE BEING VERY TIGHTLIPPED THIS MORNING ON T INVESTIGATION. Update on Molly: Since this is pertinent to the Birmingham area, and the area only let's keep it on topic. Police initially told reporters they thought Bradford had shot the 18-year-old after a fight, but retracted that statement Friday night. Two other people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. Please enter valid email address to continue. Marshals at a relative's home in Fairburn, Georgia, on November 29. HOOVER, Ala. Hoover police said Tuesday they have made two additional arrests in connection with a deadly shooting at the Riverchase Galleria on July 2. HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) - David Alexander is the Hoover police officer who was assigned foot patrol inside the Riverchase Galleria on Thanksgiving Day of 2018. 189K views, 233 likes, 114 loves, 2.3K comments, 1.1K shares, Facebook Watch Videos from WVTM 13: RIGHT NOW: Riverchase Galleria Mall shooting protest Family members said he was energetic and always smiling. [14] When it was reported that the 21-year-old deceased victim was not the perpetrator, the family of the victim raised demands that the Hoover, Alabama Mayor and Police Chief step down. The Riverchase Galleria has been known as the largest indoor shopping mall in the state of Alabama since its opening in 1986. Unfortunately, one of our police officers had to engage that individual," Brocato said at a late night news conference at the mall. The Riverchase Galleria will not be the site of a new healthcare facility for the city of Hoover. Michael Seale , Patch Staff Posted Tue, Jul 7, 2020 at 11:53 am CT [37] A funeral for Bradford was set for December 1 at the Boutwell Memorial Auditorium with Reverend Jesse Jackson to speak. Not even just a mass shooting, but any shooting.. SARAH: MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO OPEN AT 6:00 THIS MORNING, BUT THEY LEFT IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL STORES TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WOULD OPEN TODAY. One shopper said she's done with Black Friday and malls. The fallout of the Riverchase Galleria shooting for Hoover and Greater Birmingham's image (Pelham: credit, how much) User Name: Remember Me: Password : Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Joe Songer | jsonger/al.com/TNS The Riverchase Galleria reopened today after a Friday. Belk dissolved the separate Proffitt's organization, and on March 8, 2006, the Proffitt's store at Riverchase became the mall's first Belk store. The mall was evacuated after the shooting. Riverchase Galleria, locally known as The Galleria, is a large, superregional shopping mall and mixed use development in Hoover, Alabama, in the Greater Birmingham metropolitan area. Eight other people were treated by Hoover paramedics for injuries sustained in the subsequent chaos and evacuation of the mall. [8], On August 6, 2019, it was announced that Sears would be closing this location as part of a plan to close 26 stores nationwide. Please enter valid email address to continue. Police say there was a verbal altercation between a group of males on the first level of the mall, near the food court Friday afternoon. Our prayers go out to all of those affected by this senseless event., Brocato said he visited with Roytas parents after the boy had been pronounced dead. What do you think should happen and how will this impact the future of the image of Hoover and Greater Birmingham in the long run. The Hoover Police Department said in a statement that two men were engaged in a "physical altercation" at the glitzy Riverchase Galleria in Hoover late Thursday, when one of the men pulled out a handgun and shot the other man twice. "He did so as a professional. We do not know anything of his personnel record or history. [43] A fourth protest occurred at the AMC Patton Creek movie theater on December 2. HOOVER, Ala. (WBRC) - An argument inside the Riverchase Galleria on July 3 ended in a shootout that killed an 8-year-old boy and injured 3 others, according to Hoover Police. Police had said he was fleeing the scene and brandishing a weapon.