Hoover city and police officials issued a joint statement early Monday morning vowing transparency throughout the investigations into the Thanksgiving night shootings inside the Riverchase Galleria that left one man dead and two others wounded.

“We want everyone who lives in, works in, works for, or visits Hoover to know that we are a city that puts safety and respect in the highest regard for all citizens,’’ officials said. “We will be transparent throughout the course of this investigation.”

Here is the joint statement:

“Beginning today, we will provide weekly updates to news media each Monday by 10:30 a.m. Central time. We hope this helps keep the media and the public informed of what we know and are able to share without jeopardizing the investigation. We will also keep the public informed of any developments through our website and the social media pages belonging to the City and to the Police Department. Should significant developments occur prior to any given regular Monday update, we will provide that news as soon as we can.

Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are extended to the families of those affected by the traumatic events surrounding the officer-involved shooting last Thursday evening, November 22, 2018. We extend sympathy to the family of Emantic J. Bradford of Hueytown, who was shot and killed during Hoover police efforts to secure the scene in the seconds following the original altercation and shooting. The loss of human life is a tragedy under any circumstances.

We can say with certainty Mr. Bradford brandished a gun during the seconds following the gunshots, which instantly heightened the sense of threat to approaching police officers responding to the chaotic scene. Body camera video and other available video was immediately turned over to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department as part of the investigation. Now, all evidence has been handed over to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to lead the investigation. Release of any video will be done as ALEA deems appropriate during the investigation.

Our thoughts are also with the family of the 18-year-old young man who suffered gunshot wounds in the altercation between mall patrons, as well as the family of the 12-year-old girl who was an innocent bystander also wounded by gunfire in the initial shooting.

These are just some of the many lives that were immediately impacted by an event so unnecessary on what should have been a peaceful Thanksgiving evening. We continue to support ALEA in its investigation of last Thursday’s tragic events, including pursuing the initial shooter who still remains at large. We have certain information about this individual and ask the public to provide ALEA with any available details that may hasten an arrest. “

The gunfire erupted at 9:52 p.m. on the second floor of the mall outside Foot Action near J.C. Penney. when police say gunfire erupted during an altercation between as many as four males. The dispute possibly was over tennis shoes being released that night, but police have not confirmed that report.

When it was over, Bradford was dead, his 18-year-old friend was seriously wounded, and the 12-year-old bystander was shot in the back. Eight other people were treated by Hoover paramedics for injuries sustained in the subsequent chaos and evacuation of the mall. Six of those eight were transported to area hospitals, including a 70-year-old Montevallo woman who ultimately was airlifted to a Mobile hospital after suffering broken bones and internal bleed in a fall as thousands were fleeing the gunfire.

Multiple investigations are currently ongoing into the Galleria shooting. Initially police said Bradford fired the shots that wounded the other two, but on Friday night said he likely did not fire the shots that wounded the others. They did not say whether he fired any shots at all, but said he was involved in the initial altercation and brandishing a firearm.

Police said investigators now believe that more than two individuals were involved in the initial altercation. The information indicates that there is at least one gunman still at-large, who could be responsible for the shooting of the 18-year-old and 12-year-old.

The State Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe at the request of Jefferson County District Attorney Mike Anderton after authorities determined a potential key witness in the mall incident is a cousin of the wife of Jefferson County Sheriff-Elect Mark Pettway.

“Once the SBI completes its investigation, the file in its entirety will be turned over to the Tenth Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. SBI does not release information in relation to ongoing/pending investigations,” a Monday morning statement from SBI read.

“Individuals with information concerning these shooting incidents are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205.254.7777 or email a tip,” the statement continued.

The news of Hoover’s statement Friday night sparked a protest Saturday outside of the Macy’s department store at the mall. Dozens of people and Bradford’s family members then marched through the mall chanting and carrying signs. A second protest is schedule for 6 p.m. Monday outside the Hoover Public Safety Center.

Also Saturday, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, out of Tallahassee, Fl., was retained by Bradford’s family. He and family members held a press conference Sunday in Birmingham’s Kelly Ingram Park where they demanded an apology from the Hoover Police , and also demanded the release of any video footage of the shooting.