Police In West Philadelphia Fatally Shoot 27-Year-Old Black Man Holding Knife
On Monday afternoon (Oct. 26), police in West Philadelphia responded to a domestic incident on 61st and Locust, and ended up fatally shooting a 27-year-old Black man who was holding a knife.
An investigation is now underway after authorities confronted and killed the man identified as Walter Wallace, who they say was armed with a knife. Police say they repeatedly ordered Wallace to drop the knife, but to no avail. In a clip that surfaced on social media, Wallace is seen walking toward officers, with a woman, who witnesses identified as his mother, trying to stop him. Shortly after, officers opened fire, shooting Wallace at least nine times before taking him to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
RELATED: California Prosecutors Reopen Fatal Police Shooting Of Oscar Grant
Eyewitnesses contradict police claims, telling NBC10 that they heard other residents tell Wallace to drop the knife, but not the officers. Investigators say the officers involved were wearing body cameras, and the footage will be looked at during the investigation.
Speaking on the shooting, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney spoke with the Wallace family and publicly stated, “My prayers are with the family and friends of Walter Wallace. I have watched the video of this tragic incident and it presents difficult questions that must be answered.”