In the final stretch of the presidential race, a new case of police brutality prompted the inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia to express their indignation on the streets. Looting, destruction, and clashes with the police were recorded, leaving hundreds of people in custody. On Monday, a 27-year-old man with mental disorders was killed by the police.
That man was Walter Wallace.
According to reports, Wallace was having a psychological episode which his family could not get under control. Therefore, his mother called 9-1-1 for assistance — the two officers involved in the shooting were first on the scene.
Although witnesses say that Wallace was carrying a knife, his mother was nearby and did not seem to feel threatened.
The violence erupted after Wallace received at least 10 shots from two police officers. Wallace did not represent an imminent threat, as shown in the video that went viral on social networks — but did have a knife.
According to his father, the victim suffered from psychological problems and was under treatment. The two agents implicated in the crime were temporarily disengaged from the force to advance the investigation, although they were not detained.
In the Cobbs Creek neighborhood, family members and neighbors of Wallace gathered Tuesday afternoon to demand justice.
“Do black lives matter?” One of the protesters shouted. “Yes!” The neighbors replied. A woman who identified herself as the 27-year-old’s cousin opened her car doors for everyone to listen to the rap composed by Wallace.
The murder of Wallace comes days before the presidential elections and in the context of the growing protests against racism and police violence, this year took to the streets of the country after the brutal murder of African American George Floyd. President Trump, far from echoing the claims, demands a stronger hand and on his campaign tours, he usually presents himself as the representative of “law and order” in the country.
The fatal incident is being investigated. Philadelphia police have stated bodycam footage from the two officers will be released as will the 9-1-1 calls. However, no time frame was released.
