Protests turned to riots in Philadelphia on Monday night after police fatally shot a black man who they said was advancing toward them with a knife. Rioters responded by going after officers and destroying patrol cars.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Philadelphia police were responding to a report of a man with a knife before 4 p.m. Monday afternoon, when they encountered the man, identified as Walter Wallace Jr., 27. Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) spokesman Sgt. Eric Gripp told the Philadelphia Inquirer that officers told Wallace to drop the weapon and backed away as Wallace “advanced towards officers” before firing.
Video of incident has been shared to social media. One Twitter user shared the video in a post saying, “10/26 ICYMI West Philly Clashes with police after Walter Wallace Jr., 27 year old father, was shot 10 x by police. They claim he moved toward them with a knife & didn’t drop the weapon. He died later in the hospital. He was at least 10 ft away when the officers began shooting.”
10/26 ICYMI West Philly Clashes with police after Walter Wallace Jr., 27 year old father, was shot 10 x by police. They claim he moved toward them with a knife & didn’t drop the weapon. He died later in the hospital. He was at least 10 ft away when the officers began shooting. pic.twitter.com/YMfn61a8pN
— Fiorella Isabel (@Fiorella_im) October 27, 2020
Demonstrations began on Monday following the shooting incident and eventually turned violent. At one point during the night, a black pickup truck drove through a line of police officers that were cordoning off a street. At least one officer was reportedly hit as police tried to scatter out of the way of the truck.
A Twitter user posted, “BREAKING: A large black pick-up truck drove through a riot line of Philadelphia police officers, and from reports at least one officer is down.”
BREAKING: A large black pick-up truck drove through a riot line of Philadelphia police officers, and from reports at least one officer is down. pic.twitter.com/Pu5l1iiuGH
— ❄️FrostBite❄️ (@realfrostylady) October 27, 2020
WCAU-TV reported a 56-year-old female officer was hospitalized with a broken leg after being hit by the truck.
NBC Philadelphia reported rioters also threw rocks and bricks at police and at least 30 officers were injured.
A police car was also set on fire Monday night.
Videos shared to social media showed rioters beating on the windows of a police SUV.
A Twitter user shared footage from a live stream, and tweeted, “Earlier in Philadelphia, PA – breaking a police cruiser window out. Streamer asks who the photographer is and states ‘I thought you were a cop, you were just about to get it girl.'”
Earlier in Philadelphia, PA – breaking a police cruiser window out. Streamer asks who the photographer is and states “I thought you were a cop, you were just about to get it girl.” #Philly pic.twitter.com/K8kbCg9fJY
— Kitty Shackleford (@KittyLists) October 27, 2020
The same Twitter user shared another video showing the police vehicle being attacked and set on fire. “Earlier in #Philly, vehicle as it was being lit on fire. Philadelphia, PA.”
Earlier in #Philly, vehicle as it was being lit on fire
Philadelphia, PA pic.twitter.com/BhvBVnCSv1— Kitty Shackleford (@KittyLists) October 27, 2020
“Police car on fire at 52nd Street now,” a Twitter user posted with a picture of a police SUV burning.
Police car on fire at 52nd Street now. pic.twitter.com/7iVCoLVGPf
— Samantha Melamed (@samanthamelamed) October 27, 2020
CBS Philly reported looting and vandalism at multiple businesses and Temple University police officers arrested one man suspected of looting a Foot Locker. The suspect’s car was reportedly full of stolen merchandise. Police also recovered a shotgun that stolen from the store’s security guard.
