BREAKING NEWS: One week after Alabama police shot and killed EJ Bradford, alleged mall shooter captured near Atlanta

The Alabama mall shooter is under arrest a week after a Black Army vet was killed by police and blamed for the crime.

—Protestors march at mall where EJ Bradford was gunned down by police as family demands accountability—

CNN reports that the alleged real shooter Erron Martez Dequan Brown, 20, was arrested Thursday near Atlanta at a relative’s home in Fairburn, Georgia, US Marshals supervisor Frank Lempka said.

Brown now faces one count of attempted murder for the Riverchase Galleria shooting on Thanksgiving night involving 18-year-old Brian Xavier Wilson. Wilson and a 12-year-old girl who was hit by a stray bullet are still recovering from their injuries.

Emantic J. Bradford mistakenly killed and ID’d as the shooter. Police later changed the narrative, saying that Bradford was a victim.

On Tuesday, Hoover mayor Frank Brocato, Police Chief Nick Derzis, and City Councilman Derrick M. Murphy finally offered apologies to Bradford’s grieving family at the Westin in downtown Birmingham.

Bradford, who was home for the holidays from the military, was brandishing his gun, defending himself in the melee. (The Bradford family’s attorney noted that the 21-year-old man had a legal permit to carry a weapon.)

Wilson’s attorney, John C. Robbins, issued a statement with offering apologies for the Bradford family.

“The Wilson family hopes that this tragic event will lead to real, open and honest dialogue not only between the African-American community and the police, but also the entire community must be involved in this discussion,” Robbins wrote.

“Reckless police shootings of young black men must stop. But they will not end until there is rational and productive communication between the entire community and the police force, whose duty it is to protect that community.”

—Sex trafficker convicted of ‘modern-day slavery’ receives lengthy prison sentence—

Hoover officials Speak Out and Offer Condolences

In a statement, Hoover officials said:

“Following this tragedy, Councilman Derrick M. Murphy arranged a meeting with the family of Mr. Emantic “EJ” Bradford, Jr. Mr. Bradford’s mother, father, and loved ones graciously agreed to sit and speak with Councilman Murphy, Mayor Brocato, and Chief Derzis on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, before the prayer vigil held in Mr. Bradford’s remembrance.

“Mayor Brocato, Councilman Murphy, and Chief Derzis expressed their sincerest condolences and prayers to Mr. Bradford’s family on their loss. Chief Derzis acknowledged and apologized for the issuance of an inaccurate public statement in the wake of this tragedy that implied that Mr. Bradford was the suspected shooter.

“During the meeting, city officials answered any questions that they could.

“The City appreciates the Bradford family agreeing to sit down with city representatives during this difficult time. Our collective thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the Bradford family in the coming days, weeks, months, and years, as they begin the healing process.”

EJ Bradford, Sr. said he “kind of” accepts the apology conveyed by Derzis. “I know he has people to report to, including the mayor. I’ll let them work that out.”

Still there are things the family says doesn’t sit well with them with the case.

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