A 21-year-old man shot and killed by Hoover police at the Riverchase Galleria Thanksgiving night likely did not fire the rounds that wounded an 18-year-old and 12-year-old, police announced Friday night.

Earlier Friday, the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the slain man as Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said while the department does not typically issue media updates during an internal investigation, there was information discussed with local media Friday night that merits update and clarification.

Preliminary information gathered Friday night, Rector said, indicated that two individuals were involved in a physical altercation that led to a 21-year-old male shooting an 18-year-old male multiple times. The 18-year-old victim was indeed shot and transported to UAB Hospital, where he remained on Friday.

The 21-year-old – now identified as Bradford - was fleeing the shooting scene while brandishing a handgun, was engaged, shot and killed by a uniformed Hoover police officer. “Over the past 20 hours, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigators and crime scene technicians have interviewed numerous individuals and examined several critical evidentiary items,’’ Rector said. “New evidence now suggests that while Mr. Bradford may have been involved in some aspect of the altercation, he likely did not fire the rounds that injured the 18-year-old victim. “

Rector 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 male and 12-year-old female.

“We regret that our initial media release was not totally accurate, but new evidence indicates that it was not,’’ he said. “We remain committed to maintaining the integrity of this investigation, helping determine the facts involved, and assisting ALEA in their efforts.”

Bradford’s family, thus far, has declined comment on his death.

Earlier Friday evening, Jefferson County District Attorney Mike Anderton announced the State Bureau of Investigation would be taking lead in the probe from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office after learning that a potential eyewitness is the cousin of Sheriff-Elect Mark Pettway.

Rector said Hoover police will cooperate fully as the case is transitioned from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to ALEA investigators. Hoover police detectives will continue conducting an internal, but separate investigation, involving the officer-involved shooting portion of the case.

Rector said anyone with information, photos or video evidence of the crime scene is asked to call ALEA investigators. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward may call Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama at 205-254-7777.