https://abcnews.go.com/US/police-officer-justified-fatal-alabama-mall-shooting-ej/story?id=60856473
Eyewitness 2 stated that shedid not see E.J. Bradford’s weapon, but she saw Bradford taking an “aggressive stance” and heardthe police officer ask Bradford, “literally three times,” to drop his weapon. Eyewitness 2 statedthat Bradford did not comply. Eyewitness 2 stated that she then saw Officer 1 shoot E.J. Bradford.
Shortly after the shooting, while officers were attending toBrian Wilson and AC, Captainpulled Officer 1 to the side and asked him to“very quickly, tell me what happened.” Officer 1 responded:“Me and [Officer 2] were standing over there. We heard two shots. And I turnedaround; we drew our guns. That guy [E.J. Bradford] was running toward them witha gun in his hand. I shot him.” --so the officer didnt identify himself (because there wasnt enough time) nor did he attempt to use anything but lethal force against a person whose back was facing him and that is considered justified? but back to the witness-- three time they heard an officer tell bradford to drop his weapon? that is in direct contrast to the officers statement of having to make a split decision isnt it. if you had time to issue command then surely you had time to stake aim the arm holding the weapon or at the very least turn your body cam on. so none of the officers body cams were on. and a witness made a statement contradictory to an account of an officer but all thats solved with: Officer 1 stated that he did not give any commands due to the imminentnature of the threat, and the brevity of the event (less than five seconds) lends credibility to hisrecollection. On the other hand, Eyewitnesses 1 and 2 both stated that they heard such commands,and the credibility of their statements is enhanced by the consistency of their recollection that threecommands were given. Regardless of which recollection is correct, the reasonableness of Officer1’s assessment of risk does not change. see heres the problem. the officer did not take the time to ascertain whether or not the gun in question was legal either by addressing bradford or waiting for back up and try to deescalate the situation. now if your answer to that is "well who has time to check stuff like that?" then there should not be conceal carry laws in any state. or if your next statement is "why would he run after them instead of runnign away" my answer would be "because thats what heroes do"
