HOOVER – Hoover officials on Thursday, Nov. 29, called on the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to allow the release of information related to the shooting death of 21-year-old Emantic J. Bradford Jr.

Bradford was shot and killed by Hoover police at the Riverchase Galleria on Nov. 22 as officers responded to an altercation that involved gunfire and resulted in injuries to two people, an 18-year-old Birmingham resident and 12-year-old Columbiana resident.

HPD has released, and then retracted, information alleging Bradford was the initial shooter and also that he was brandishing a firearm.

Ensuing protests have targeted busy roadways in Hoover and even the home of Mayor Frank Brocato.

Brocato and Police Chief Nick Derzis apologized to Bradford’s family for the erroneous releases in a meeting on Nov. 27.

Two days later, Derrick Murphy, the first black person to be elected to the Hoover City Council, made the request to ALEA during a press conference at Hoover City Hall.

ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident.

Information to be released could include footage from police body cameras and/or mall surveillance.

Though information related to ongoing investigations is not typically released, Murphy requested for the state agency to do so, and to respond to the request by noon on Monday, Dec. 3.

If no response is received, Murphy said, Derzis would consider releasing information on his own accord.

“I can’t imagine what the Bradford family went through, especially how they found out they lost their son,” Murphy said. “Through all of this, the Bradford family was still willing to sit down and talk with us. They have our love. They have our prayers.”

Murphy also called on civility from protestors and Hoover residents after learning of social media posts he described as “hateful” and “racist” made toward protestors.

“I can tell you that hate has no place anywhere in our city,” he said. “We do not support or condone those ideas. They will not help us heal.”

Murphy was joined at the press conference by Brocato, Derzis, City Administrator Allan Rice and other councilmembers.

“We have all witnessed situations across this country where community tensions between citizens and police unfolded on a public stage,” Brocato said. “We want to and are committed to getting to the truth and getting it right.”