The Philadelphia police precinct went under fire on Monday night hours after police shot and killed a local Black man. The victim was revealed to be 27-year old Walter Wallace Jr. A video of the incident went viral and occurred Monday afternoon when Police received a call about a man with a knife.
What We Know:
- Sergeant Eric Gripp, a Philadelphia police spokesman, stated that “responding officers witnessed a male on the block. Immediately they noticed he had a knife in his possession and he was brandishing it and waiving it erratically.”
- Police allegedly ordered Wallace to surrender his weapons and come forward slowly. Wallace’s mother later attempts to intervene by grabbing her son. The moment he broke away and headed straight towards police, they opened fire. The result was considerable injuries in the shoulder and chest areas and the victim later passed away at a nearby hospital because of them.
- The outcry of yet another mishandled police incident involving a man of color has sparked new and ongoing protests. An officer was struck by a pickup truck early Tuesday. A 56-year-old female officer was later taken to a hospital with a broken leg and other injuries, according to Gripp.
- Police reported about 29 officers that have been hospitalized at this point due to being struck by projectiles such as bricks and rocks. They also stated that they have made around 30 arrests and have had reports of looting and vandalism throughout the city, including law enforcement vehicles.
- In response to the recent unrest, the White House has said they would be ready to give federal assistance, according to White House communications director Alyssa Farah. “We’re monitoring the situation closely. If necessary, we’ll be standing by and prepared to deploy federal resources, if necessary,” Farah said on Tuesday.
- Walter Wallace Sr., the victim’s father, questioned why officers used deadly force. “Why didn’t they use a Taser?” he asked. “His mother was trying to defuse the situation.” Wallace Sr. made it clear that his son has known mental health issues and had medication for it. “Why you have to gun him down?”
The identities of the officers involved have not been revealed as of late and they were also taken off duty amid a future investigation into the matter. “I have watched the video of this tragic incident and it presents difficult questions that must be answered. I spoke tonight with Mr. Wallace’s family and will continue to reach out to hear their concerns first-hand,” said Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement.
