Hoover city officials offered an apology to the family of Emantic "EJ" Bradford Jr., the man fatally shot by police at the Riverchase Galleria Thanksgiving night. Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato, Police Chief Nick Derzis, and Councilman Derrick Murphy met with Bradford's parents Tuesday night.
The city says Derzis apologized for the statement following the Galleria shooting implicating Bradford in the crime.
Observers say the meeting was emotional, and that Brocato was very genuine in expressing sympathy to the Bradfords, who appeared appreciative of the mayor's sentiments.
Police say Bradford had a gun in his hand and was shot by an officer who raced to the scene of a shooting that injured two people on the mall's second level outside the Footaction shoe store. Bradford was initially identified as the suspect, but police later determined the shots were fired by a gunman who remains at large.
In a statement, the city said it appreciated the Bradfords agreeing to sit down with city representatives, and that "our collective thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the Bradford family in the coming days as they begin the healing process."