Erron Martez Dequan Brown, 20, has been identified as the true suspect in the Riverchase Galleria mall shooting that took place around 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 22. After the shooting, police mistakenly shot and killed 21-year-old former United States Army officer Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr.
What Happened?
After Brown shot an 18-year-old and a 12-year-old girl in the Riverchase Galleria Mall on Thursday, November 22, police shot and killed Bradford Jr, thinking that he was the gunman.
However, while police initially believed that Bradford Jr. was the shooter, investigators determined that he was not the gunman after conducting forensic tests and talking to witnesses.
Police eventually arrested Brown on the morning of Thursday, November 29, in Georgia, acting on a tip that Brown was staying with relatives in South Fulton, Georgia.
Following his arrest, he was taken to the Fulton County jail to await extradition back to Alabama. His bond is currently set at $125,000.
Brown has since been charged with attempted murder.
via AL.com:
The warrant was issued Wednesday for Erron Martez Dequan Brown, 20, in the shooting. He is charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Brian Wilson, the friend of Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr., 21, who was shot and killed by police after Wilson was shot. His bond is set at $125,000.
The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed to AL.com Brown has been arrested in South Fulton. Brown, who lives in north Birmingham, was quickly identified as a suspect in the Nov. 22 shooting of Brian Wilson. Authorities withheld his identity while law enforcement officers searched for him.
The U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force in Georgia was assisted by Alabama’s Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Authorities said they captured Erron Martez Brown, 20, about 9:30 a.m. Thursday on Highwind Way in South Fulton.
The Hoover Police Department said that they are conducting an internal investigation into the shooting and that the officer involved, who still remains unidentified, has been placed on administrative leave.
Bradford Jr’s family has reportedly hired a prominent civil rights lawyer in the aftermath of Emantic’s death.
