Walter Wallace Jr: Philadelphia police confirm that two officers fired 14 shots at Black man killed Monday
Family says Mr Wallace had mental health issues and was on medication
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Your support makes all the difference.Philadelphia police officials have revealed that two police officers fired seven shots each at Walter Wallace Jr, a 27-year-old black man who was killed while approaching them with a knife.
The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon and sparked protests in the city.
Police officials said it has yet to be determined how many shots actually hit Mr Wallace.
A video of the confrontation shows two police officers with weapons drawn backing into the street as Mr Wallace advances towards them with a knife in his hand. Officers can be heard yelling for Mr Wallace to drop his knife prior to the shooting.
Mr Wallace continued walking towards the officers, who then shot at him a total of 14 times, killing him.
In the video, Mr Wallace's mother ran into the street to her son, waving her arms and screaming "no." She then appears to throw something at the police officers.
"They just killed him in front of me! You really had to give him that many f****** shots?" the man recording the video yelled at police.
Maurice Holloway, who witnessed the shooting, told the Philadelphia Inquirer that bystanders were trying to deescalate the situation and pleaded with the police not to shoot Mr Wallace.
"I'm yelling, 'Put down the gun, put down the gun,' and everyone is saying, 'Don't shoot him, he's gonna put it down, we know him," Mr Holloway said.
Bystanders said that Mr Wallace was shot in the chest and shoulder. He was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
Mr Wallace's family said he had mental health issues and was taking medication.
Police were at the home responding to a domestic call when the shooting occurred.
Philadelphia Police Chief Danielle Outlaw claimed that 30 officers were injured during protests following the shooting.
She denounced violence and destruction from protesters, but said would investigate the shooting.
"There are many questions that demand answers. Residents have my assurance that those questions will be fully addressed by the investigation," she said.
One of the officers injured during the protests suffered a broken leg after an individual allegedly intentionally hit her with a truck.
"Yesterday, people throughout the city came together to peacefully protest. The criminal activity that occurred was not a part of these protests and it did not serve any legitimate purpose," Ms Outlaw said.
More protests are expected Tuesday night, and an increased police presence on the streets is expected in response.
The officers involved in the shooting have not been named. Both were wearing body cameras, but the footage has yet to be released to the public.
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