Rioting continued for a second night in the city of Philadelphia, Penn., with an estimated 1,000 rioters destroying and looting businesses, and some rioters even shooting others.
On Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) estimated a crowd of around 1,000 people were looting businesses in the Castor and Aramingo neighborhoods.
PPD tweeted, “*Alert* A large crowd of appx 1000 is looting businesses in the area of Castor and Aramingo. Avoid the area.”
*Alert* A large crowd of appx 1000 is looting businesses in the area of Castor and Aramingo. Avoid the area
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) October 28, 2020
NBC Philadelphia reporter Drew Smith tweeted footage of the looting. “Chaos continues at the Walmart on Aramingo.”
Chaos continues at the Walmart on Aramingo. pic.twitter.com/HaB43g24St
— Drew Smith (@drewsmithtv) October 28, 2020
NBC Philadelphia reported water damage at a Walmart caused by looters who damaged pipes trying to break into the store through its roof.
“Flooding inside Walmart as water continues to spew across the store #PhiladelphiaRiots #Philly #PhillyRiots,” a Twitter user posted.
Flooding inside Walmart as water continues to spew across the store #PhiladelphiaRiots #Philly #PhillyRiots pic.twitter.com/lNX3249sI9
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 28, 2020
Fox News correspondent Aishah Hasnie tweeted, “The store was looted in May. They had just restocked and reopened 3 weeks ago! Now they won’t be able open for Thanksgiving/Christmas shopping season.”
The store was looted in May. They had just restocked and reopened 3 weeks ago! Now they won’t be able open for Thanksgiving/Christmas shopping season. #Philly pic.twitter.com/cl0JcTZdEA
— Aishah Hasnie (@aishahhasnie) October 27, 2020
NBC Philadelphia reported at least 11 people had been shot in an area targeted by looters, including a 15-year-old girl and an 18-year-old man.
Daily Caller reporter Shelby Talcott shared video of looting at a Five Below sporting goods store, as well as an attack on Elijah Schaffer, a reporter for The Blaze.
“Mass looting across the river and @ElijahSchaffer just got beaten up for filming. This is inside the Five Below store. Police are in the same parking lot near the Walmart, but there seem to be too many looters,” Talcott tweeted.
Mass looting across the river and @ElijahSchaffer just got beaten up for filming. This is inside the Five Below store. Police are in the same parking lot near the Walmart, but there seem to be too many looters pic.twitter.com/CZeIiMokJa
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) October 28, 2020
Rioters were originally protesting the fatal police shooting of a black man, Walter Wallace Jr., 27, who police said advanced towards officers with a knife.
Wallace Jr.’s cousin Anthony Fitzhugh denounced the looting taking place after his cousin’s death, NBC Philadelphia reported.
“They’re thieves, they’re opportunists, and they’re stealing because they have the opportunity to steal,” Fitzhugh said. “Do not put my cousin’s name on that.”
The looting took place even after Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered hundreds of the state’s National Guard troops to mobilize on Tuesday night to protect Philadelphia from riots.
The first night of rioting saw a police officer’s leg broken after a pick-up truck drove through a line of police. Demonstrators reportedly threw rocks and bricks and 30 officers were reported injured. A police vehicle was also set on fire.
