Police create a barrier in front of a damaged vehicle during widespread unrest. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 1:28 PM PT – Tuesday, October 27, 2020
The city of Philadelphia, Pa. experienced violent demonstrations after a fatal officer-involved shooting of a man armed with a knife took place on the city’s west side. On Monday afternoon, the incident was captured on cell phone video.
#Philadelphia
Unknown status on the protest’s location.Multiple shootings and a robbery at gunpoint being reported over the scanner in Philly. Unknown if related to the demonstration.
Here are some tweets expressing some of the current sentiments being expressed online. pic.twitter.com/QtJEr7wngc
— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) October 27, 2020
According to police, 27-year old Walter Wallace Junior disregarded multiple warnings to drop his weapon.
“Immediately they noticed that he had a knife in his possession and he was brandishing it and waving it erratically,” Sergeant Eric Gripp of the Philadelphia Police Department stated. “Officers ordered him several times to drop the weapon. Unfortunately, he did not do so.”
The two police officers then fired several shots at Wallace. Gripp added that upon being struck, the male immediately dropped the knife and was scooped up by one of the discharged officers. The officer took Wallace into his police car and drove him to the nearby Presbyterian Hospital, where he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries.
Following the victim’s death, crowds took to the streets and demonstrations outside the police precinct quickly turned violent.
Traffic cones, water bottles, fireworks being thrown toward a line of police with riot gear as they push down Pine Street in West Philly. pic.twitter.com/IuU2S5cgQc
— Samantha Melamed (@samanthamelamed) October 27, 2020
A police SUV is on fire at 52nd and market, surrounded by a crowd of a couple hundred pic.twitter.com/dwSFbNoMgs
— Anna Orso (@anna_orso) October 27, 2020
Protestors showed active aggression toward police by throwing bricks and other projectiles at them. One officer, a 56-year-old female sergeant, was reportedly hit by a black pick-up truck. A police car was also destroyed as protesters vandalized and looted in the area. At least 35 people were arrested including five juveniles.
#Philadelphia
BREAKING
A large black pick-up truck just sped through the area striking at least two police officers. Multiple officers down, requesting back up immediately.pic.twitter.com/oEvn2Cb40o— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) October 27, 2020
BREAKING: @PPDEricGripp reports at least 12 @PhillyPolice officers hospitalized at this hour with various injuries. One of them—a 56 year old female sergeant hit by a black pickup truck near 52nd and Walnut. She is in stable condition with a broken leg. #WestPhilly
— Lauren Dawn Johnson (@LaurenDawnFox29) October 27, 2020
The incident followed months of nationwide unrest amid ‘Black Lives Matter’ and Antifa demonstrations in several cities across the country. In the meantime, the names of the injured officers have not yet been released but the mayor has promised a full investigation.
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