Here’s what we know so far about the shooting and its aftermath.
Police said the incident began with a 911 call involving a man with a knife. Responding officers found that the man was a brand new knife and was brandishing it incorrectly, a Philadelphia police sergeant. Eric Gripp told KYW.
Jehim Simpson, who took video of the police shooting, told CNN that there was a bit of a commotion before the police were called and argued.
Simpson said Valce went out of the house with a lace knife and everyone told him to put the knife down. He said he saw officers pull out their guns as soon as they saw the knife.
Simpson said Wallace’s mother, a man she later found out about, told police that Wallace had mental health problems.
The video shows Wallace walking down the street in a parked car, and the two officers can be seen backing up as they walk towards him. Police then fired several shots at Wallace rather than firing at him.
Sergeant. Grip told KYW that an officer and police took Les in his police cruiser to Presbyterian Hospital, where he died.
The family made at least three calls to authorities that day, said Valce Les’s family lawyer, Shaka Johnson. He said the initial call was from an ambulance, and Johnson and Valce Les’s mother said police were at the scene the day before.
It is not clear if the police responded to all three calls. Police officials did not respond to questions at a news conference Tuesday about whether officers were there before or spoke to Wallace Jr., and did not elaborate on what officers knew about the situation before arrival.
Police Commissioner Daniel Outlo said they were investigating what came out on the radio and what police knew at the time they responded, as well as “how any previous contact with Mr. Wallace became a fact from what happened yesterday.”
What we know about Wallace
Valace Les, 27, suffered from bipolar disorder and was in critical condition at the time of the shooting, his family said.
Johnson said Valce Les was a victim and was being cared for by a doctor who was treating him for mental health problems.
He said, “It’s emotionally taxing to think about how you can call for help and how to reconcile with the people who beat you.”
“Law enforcement was called because they wanted an ambulance to come here,” he added. “There are police who arrived first.”
Wallace and his wife, Dominic, were newlyweds, Jones said. She expects to “deliver the girl any day now,” Jones said.
“They were just trying to strengthen their family,” he said.
Valce Les’s uncle, ney Eve, Rodney Everett, said his nephew was a “good-natured man.”
“I’m just disappointed that his life ended just like that. I don’t think that’s true. I don’t think that’s right. I don’t think they did any justice.”
What we know about officers
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that it was investigating the shooting involving a fatal officer.
The names of the officers have not been taken. They did not have a teaser at the time of the shooting.
Outlo said he was fully committed to a full investigation and that he “felt the anger of the community” when he went to the scene after the shooting.
Both officers involved in the shooting are now pending investigation at desk duty, a law enforcement source said. Sources said officials have spoken to investigators and are expected to communicate as the investigation progresses. The DA has indicated that his office fee has not yet interviewed him.
John McKenzie, president of the Brother Frader Police Lodge # 5, defended the officers involved.
“Our police officers are being blamed for doing their job and keeping the community safe, after being confronted by a man with a knife. We support and defend these officers, as they too have been traumatized by being involved in the fatal shooting.” In a statement.
“We call on the public to be patient as investigators work to gather all the facts of this tragic incident in West Philadelphia. Our thoughts and prayers are with these police officers who had to use lethal force to protect themselves and the community.” “
How people have reacted
Monday and Tuesday night protests have turned violent, including incidents of alleged robberies and attacks on police. A total of 172 arrests have been made and 53 officers have been injured, police said.
There is a citywide curfew for Philadelphia that starts at 9pm on Wednesday nights and starts at 6am on Thursdays.
Beware of such a second night, several businesses in the area closed their stores on Tuesday, and several hundred members of the Pennsylvania National Guard were called to Philadelphia.
On Tuesday night, a large group of protesters marched through the Cobbs Creek section of Philadelphia. One person asked, “Whose street is this?” With the booming protesters heard the sound. And the crowd, “Our alley!” With “Say his name!” The crowd shouted, “Walter Wallace!”
There is a citywide curfew for Philadelphia starting at 9pm today and 6am on Thursday. The peaceful protest turned violent as a group of police officers met a crowd near the 18th District of Philadelphia Police.
CNN crew threw rocks, light bulbs and bricks at police as many of the crowd covered Tuesday’s protest. Officers retreated, with one clearly wounded, leading him back with blood. The CNN crew said a protester with an ax approached the police and fled before the police cut through the front of the car before leaving the area.
Police also reported that a large mob, estimated to be about 1,000 people, robbed businesses Tuesday night in the Port Richmond division of Philadelphia. It is unclear whether they were involved in the protests.
Philadelphia police say 53 people were arrested amid unrest Tuesday.
Wallace’s family has asked protesters to keep his protest peaceful in order to honor his memory.
Speaking to CNN’s Chris Kumo on prime time on Tuesday night, Wallace’s father asked if people respect his son’s memory and his family’s grief.
“All this violence and looting. I don’t want this looting and chaos stuff to leave a bad mark on my son and my family,” Walter Wallace Sr. told CNN. “So I want my son’s name and everyone to stop this. Give my son a chance. And family like we are decent people.”
“Everyone should have respect for our family, pray for us. Cut it off. Running a robbery is a mindset and it won’t bring my son back. And if it doesn’t happen, it will only make the situation worse instead of better.” , “He added.
CNN’s Brian Gingers, Linh Tran, Steve Elmasi, Mark Morales, Andy Rose, Holly Silverman and Ray Sanchez contributed to the report.
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