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Philadelphia Police Vow To Release Body Camera Footage In Walter Wallace Shooting

October 29th, 2020

Philadelphia police issue a final warning for curfew violation to protesters at 55th and Pine Streets in West Philadelphia, on Wednesday, the third straight night of protesting and unrest after the fatal shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. by police.

Philadelphia, still on edge following days of protests and unrest that engulfed the city in response to the police killing of a 27-year-old Black man, Walter Wallace Jr., experienced a relatively quiet night Wednesday.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw vowed on Wednesday that the department would release “in the near future” 911 tapes and body camera footage worn by the officers involved with the killing.

While she did not provide a timeline, Outlaw said the materials would be made public after meeting with members of the Wallace family “to ensure they get an opportunity to view the materials first.”

If and when the release happens, it will be an extraordinary and rare step for the Philadelphia Police Department to take.

“Although previous police shootings of Black men in Philadelphia have sparked protests, the department has never before released police footage of an officer’s shooting,” The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Releasing the footage and tapes move is supported by John McNesby, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5. In a video posted to Twitter on Wednesday, he urged city officials to “release what you have.”

“We’re calling on the city leadership to release the facts of this case. It’s not hard,” McNesby said. “It’s cut and dry. Release what you have. Support your officers, back your officers and let’s get a handle on this thing.”

Police said earlier this week that Walter Wallace was armed with a knife and “advanced toward officers.” When he did not drop the weapon, two officers fired at him several times, according to law enforcement.

Wallace was experiencing a psychological episode on Monday, according to a family attorney. His mother attempted to calm him, the lawyer said, but was unable to and called 911 for an ambulance. But the police arrived first.

The incident was captured on graphic cellphone video, which was posted to social media and quickly went viral.

Hours after the shooting Monday, McNesby issued a statement supporting the officers involved, saying they were “being vilified for doing their job and keeping the community safe.”

Following the Wallace shooting, parts of the city saw violent clashes between law enforcement in helmets and shields and protesters, some of them hurling objects at police. There were also reports of looting. Police said 30 officers were hurt during clashes late Monday and early Tuesday.

During confrontations Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, police said 81 people were arrested, including 53 for burglary.

Wednesday evening was different.

Earlier in the day, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney issued an emergency order placing the city under a curfew from 9 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

While there were some reports of looting and confrontations, the tense confrontations that gripped Philadelphia for two nights never fully materialized, USA Today reported.

At one point, the newspaper added, just 15 people gathered for a “Justice for Walter Wallace Jr.” protest in City Center, but attendees quickly went their separate ways.