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Police shooting of Black man sparks protests and looting in Philadelphia as 30 officers injured

Neighbourhood residents shout at police outside the 18th District police station Monday night on 26 October 2020, in Philadelphia ((Associated Press))
Neighbourhood residents shout at police outside the 18th District police station Monday night on 26 October 2020, in Philadelphia ((Associated Press))

More than 30 officers were injured after protests and looting broke out in Philadelphia following the fatal shooting of a Black man by police in the city.

Crowds of protesters took to West Philadelphia’s streets on Monday in response to the death of Walter Wallace Jr, a Black man who was shot by police in Cobb’s Creek earlier that day.

Police spokesperson Tanya Little said that two officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon on Monday afternoon.

Video from the incident showed Mr Wallace advancing towards the officers, while his mother attempted to restrain him.

Ms Little said that Mr Wallace was armed with a knife, but it is unclear from the video whether that was the case.

As he approached the police, the camera pointed downward while several shots were heard by the two officers. The video then showed Mr Wallace lying motionless on the floor.

He was taken to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.

Protests broke out in response to the shooting on Monday evening, and the Philadelphia Police Department said that at least 30 officers were injured, including a 56-year-old sergeant whose leg was broken after he was struck by a pickup truck, according to NBC 10.

All of the injured officers were treated and released from medical care overnight, except for the sergeant.

Several stores, including one restaurant and multiple Rite Aid shops were broken into overnight, while people were seen attempting to force their way into a cheque cashing store.

NBC reported that clothing and merchandise were strewn across the road and pavement at 57th and Vine streets, as the screens of two ATM’s were smashed.

As the night continued, more than a dozen officers armed with batons chased protesters away from 52nd street after police cars and bins were set on fire.

More than 30 people were arrested for looting and throwing bricks at police, as five police cars and one fire department vehicle were vandalised, according to the authorities.

A majority of the unrest took place in West Philadelphia, but protests and looting also broke out in the north of the city.

Protesters also gathered outside of the city’s 18th District police headquarters, as well as the University of Penn Police headquarters.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that more than a dozen protesters gathered at a park near to the scene of the shooting and repeatedly shouted “Black Lives Matter”.

The shooting and protests occurred amid a year of unrest in the US, as Black Lives Matter demonstrations have taken place in every state in reaction to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

Philadelphia police commissioner Danielle Outlaw arrived at the scene of Mr Wallace’s shooting shortly after it occurred and spoke to people in the area.

He later released a statement saying: “I heard and felt the anger of the community.”

He added that the video “raises many questions” and said that “those questions will be fully addressed by the investigation.”

Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner also released a statement saying that an investigation would take place.

The two officers, who have not yet been named, were wearing body cameras and have been taken off the street pending the investigation, according to the Associated Press.

Mr Wallace’s father, Walter Wallace Sr, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his son was a new father and recently married.

He added: “Why didn’t they use a taser?”

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