Bodycam footage released shows police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr
The video was released with the consent of the family.
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Your support makes all the difference.Philadelphia police released bodycamera footage of the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr last month.
Police were responding to a domestic disturbance call from Mr Wallace’s neighbors on the day of the shooting. Mr Wallace had a knife during the encounter. Police fired a total of 14 rounds at Mr Wallace.
In the video, the police approach the house and Mr Wallace emerged with a knife. The police immediately begin shouting for him to put his knife down and draw their guns on Mr Wallace.
Mr Wallace begins walking around the area as the police back away and continue shouting for him to drop the gun. At one point, Mr Wallace’s mother runs out of the house and tries to grab him, but she is unsuccessful.
Bystanders said they knew Mr Wallace and were yelling for the police not to shoot him.
“He’s mental! He’s mental!” a woman can be heard screaming.
After a few moments of circling and shouting, Mr Wallace darts around a car. The police shoot him, and Mr Wallace drops to the pavement.
Mr Wallace’s mother screams and runs to her son’s side. As the police officers approach, she slaps the officers.
“You killed my son!” she yells.
Mr Wallace’s mother said her son had mental health issues.
Immediately after the shooting, neighbors run into the street to check on Mr Wallace, who is bleeding out into the street.
City leaders - including police representatives - met with Mr Wallace’s family last week to discuss the footage. The footage was released with the consent of the family.
Philadelphia Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said an internal investigation was underway. It is unclear if charges will be brought against the officers.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said the government failed Mr Wallace and his mother.
"When a mother was trying to get help with a situation involving her son, who is blameless for his mental illness - when she did that, government failed," Mr Krasner said. “Because her son was killed within a minute of government’s arrival. As a part of government, I apologize.”
The footage was released on 3 Nov.
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