Philadelphia erupted in violence on Monday night after the police shot a black man allegedly holding a knife.
The rioters injured at least 30 police officers.
The police received a call about a man, 27-year-old Walter Wallace Jr., with a deadly weapon on Monday afternoon:
“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,” said Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp.On that West Philly block, near 61st and Locust video shows that man raising his arm as he approaches police.Less than a second later, both officers open fire.“Upon being struck the male immediately dropped the knife and was scooped up by one of the discharging officers who took him into his police car, drove him over to Presbyterian Hospital where unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries,” Sgt. Gripp said.“I don’t know what his demeanor was. I do know something had to be going on that wasn’t normal,” witness Maurice Holoway said.Holoway says he and others in the neighborhood plead with the man, identified as Walter Wallace Jr. to drop the knife but that didn’t happen.
Rioters and demonstrators showed up only a few hours after the shooting, which continued into the night. Rioters injured at least 30 officers:
Police say 30 officers were injured, they include a 56-year-old female officer who was hit by a car at 52nd and Walnut Streets. Police say she suffered a broken leg.Police say all of the officers injured are in stable condition. Other than the officer with a broken leg, they’ve all been treated and released from the hospital. Police say that most of the officers who were injured were hit with rocks, bricks, and other projectiles.Also, at 52nd and Market Streets, a police SUV was set on fire.
Rioters also looted and damaged stores and restaurants.
Police arrested 30 people overnight.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY