Skip to main content

Family of Walter Wallace says they called 911 for an ambulance to help him with a mental health crisis but cops showed up and laughed at them before shooting him dead when he refused to drop knife

Walter Wallace Jr, 27, was shot and killed by Philadelphia police officers on Monday afternoon. His family claimed that they called 911 for an ambulance to help him with a mental health crisis but cops showed up instead

Walter Wallace Jr, 27, was shot and killed by Philadelphia police officers on Monday afternoon. His family claimed that they called 911 for an ambulance to help him with a mental health crisis but cops showed up instead 

Walter Wallace Jr's family claim they had called 911 for an ambulance to help him with a mental health crisis when cops showed up instead and laughed at them before fatally shooting the black man.   

Philadelphia police said Wallace, 27, was wielding a knife and ignored orders to drop the weapon before two officers fired seven shots each at him on Monday afternoon. 

But his parents said Tuesday night that officers knew their son was in a mental health crisis because they had been to the family's house three times that day.

Cathy Wallace, his mother, said one of the times: 'They stood there and laughed at us.'

Police officials said they could not confirm what information had been given to the responding officers, whether they were told about a possible mental illness or how many calls they had received for help at Wallace's address on Monday. Officials also declined to confirm the identities of the officers involved. 

Video of the shooting sparked massive protests and looting on Monday and Tuesday night as Philadelphia became America's latest flash point on issues of race and police use of force. 

Wallace's father, Walter Wallace Sr, condemned the violence on Tuesday night, saying: 'They're not helping my family, they're showing disrespect. Stop this violence and chaos. People have businesses. We all got to eat. It's an SOS to help, not to hurt.'

Wallace Sr also said he is haunted by the way his son was 'butchered'. 'It's in my mind. I can't even sleep at night. I can't even close my eyes,' he said. 

Scroll down for video 

Wallace's father, Walter Wallace Sr, fought back tears as he described being haunted by the way his son was 'butchered', saying: 'It's in my mind. I can't even sleep at night. I can't even close my eyes'

Wallace's father, Walter Wallace Sr, fought back tears as he described being haunted by the way his son was 'butchered', saying: 'It's in my mind. I can't even sleep at night. I can't even close my eyes'

Wallace's parents said officers knew their son was in a mental health crisis because they had been to the family's house three times on Monday. His mother Cathy Wallace said one of the times: 'They stood there and laughed at us'

Philadelphia police said Wallace, 27, was wielding a knife and ignored orders to drop the weapon before two officers fired seven shots each at him on Monday afternoon

Philadelphia police said Wallace, 27, was wielding a knife and ignored orders to drop the weapon before two officers fired seven shots each at him on Monday afternoon 

Video of the shooting sparked massive protests and looting across Philadelphia on Monday and Tuesday night (pictured)

Video of the shooting sparked massive protests and looting across Philadelphia on Monday and Tuesday night

A police officer, covered in blood, holds a baton among a group of police in Philadelphia during the second night of protests

A police officer, covered in blood, holds a baton among a group of police in Philadelphia during the second night of protests

Wallace Sr, condemned the violence on Tuesday night, saying: 'They're not helping my family, they're showing disrespect. Stop this violence and chaos. People have businesses. We all got to eat. It's an SOS to help, not to hurt'

Wallace Sr, condemned the violence on Tuesday night, saying: 'They're not helping my family, they're showing disrespect. Stop this violence and chaos. People have businesses. We all got to eat. It's an SOS to help, not to hurt'

The Wallace family's attorney, Shaka Johnson, said the victim's wife, Dominique Wallace, is pregnant and is scheduled to have labor induced Wednesday. 

Johnson said Wallace had nine children - two briefly spoke at a news conference late Tuesday, along with Walter Wallace's mother and father.

'When you come to a scene where somebody is in a mental crisis, and the only tool you have to deal with it is a gun ... where are the proper tools for the job?' Johnson said, arguing that Philadelphia police officers are not properly trained to handle mental health crises. 

Johnson said Wallace's brother had called 911 to request medical assistance and ambulance.

Attorneys Shaka Johnson (left) and Kevin P O'Brien (right) speak to the media outside the Wallace family's home on Tuesday.  Johnson said Wallace's brother had called 911 to request medical assistance and ambulance

Attorneys Shaka Johnson and Kevin P O'Brien speak to the media outside the Wallace family's home on Tuesday.  Johnson said Wallace's brother had called 911 to request medical assistance and ambulance

Footage shot on a witness's smartphone began with Wallace walking between parked cars outside the front of homes in the residential neighborhoodA woman, later identified as his mother, is following him trying to get hold of him

Footage shot on a witness's smartphone began with Wallace walking between parked cars outside the front of homes in the residential neighborhood. A woman, later identified as his mother, is following him trying to get hold of him

Two officers opened fire on Wallace, with at least seven shots heard. Wallace collapsed in the street as screams rang out and his mother wan over hysterically screaming: 'No!'

Two officers opened fire on Wallace, with at least seven shots heard. Wallace collapsed in the street as screams rang out and his mother wan over hysterically screaming: 'No!'

About 500 people had gathered at a West Philadelphia park Tuesday night and began marching through the neighborhood, chanting. There were sporadic reports of arrests in other areas of the city Tuesday night around 9pm.

Video showed people streaming into stores and stealing goods as they left on the opposite side of the city from where Wallace was shot. The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management tweeted around 9.30pm Tuesday, cautioning residents in eastern Philadelphia to remain indoors.

Philadelphia officials had anticipated a second night of unrest Tuesday, after police arrested 91 people during protests and unrest that began Monday and spread into the early morning hours of Tuesday, sometimes turning into violent confrontations with police. 

Police were stationing extra officers on business corridors in west Philadelphia and elsewhere in preparation.

A Pennsylvania National Guard spokesperson told The Philadelphia Inquirer earlier Tuesday that several hundred guardsmen were expected to arrive in the city within 24 to 48 hours.

Police had previously said 30 officers were injured in the Monday night unrest, most of them hit with thrown objects like bricks. One officer was still hospitalized Tuesday with a broken leg after being purposely run over by a pickup truck, police said.

About 500 people gathered at a West Philadelphia park Tuesday night and began marching through Wallace's neighborhood

About 500 people gathered at a West Philadelphia park Tuesday night and began marching through Wallace's neighborhood 

The protesters were met by a wall of police officers clad in riot gear who held up shields as demonstrators shouted at them

The protesters were met by a wall of police officers clad in riot gear who held up shields as demonstrators shouted at them

Demonstrators stand near a burning barricade in Philadelphia on Tuesday night

Demonstrators stand near a burning barricade in Philadelphia on Tuesday night

Video showed looters storming a store in Philadelphia on the city's second night of unrest on Tuesday

Video showed looters storming a store in Philadelphia on the city's second night of unrest on Tuesday 

Throughout the day Tuesday, state and local officials called for transparency and a thorough investigation, including the release of body camera footage from the two officers who fired their weapons.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said at a news conference Tuesday that she was still reviewing when and what information would be released to the public. 

The officers had not been interviewed as of Tuesday afternoon, Outlaw said. Neither had a Taser or similar device at the time of the shooting, she said, noting the department had previously asked for funding to equip more officers with those devices.

Philadelphia Police Chief Danielle Outlaw revealed new details in the case at a press conference Tuesday (pictured)

Philadelphia Police Chief Danielle Outlaw revealed new details in the case at a press conference Tuesday

Outlaw said the officers' names and other identifying information, including their race, would be withheld until the department could be sure releasing the information would not pose a threat to their safety. The officers were taken off street duty during the investigation.

Chief Police Inspector Frank Vanore confirmed that police had received a call before the fatal encounter Monday about a man screaming and saying that he was armed with a knife.

The two officers each fired at least seven rounds - at least 14 total shots - but Vanore could not say how many times Wallace was struck.

In video filmed by a bystander and posted on social media, officers yell for Wallace to drop a knife. In the video, Wallace's mother and at least one man follow Wallace, trying to get him to listen to officers, as he briskly walks across the street and between cars.

Wallace advanced toward the officers, who then fired several times, said police spokesperson Officer Tanya Little. Wallace's mother screams and throws something at an officer after her son is shot and falls to the ground.

The video does not make it clear whether he was in fact holding a knife, but witnesses said he was. Police would not confirm any details about the weapon Wallace was alleged to be holding Tuesday, saying it is still part of the open investigation.

Wallace was hit in the shoulder and chest, Little said. One officer drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, she said.

A protester in Philadelphia holds a sign demanding 'reparations' for Wallace's death on Tuesday night

A protester in Philadelphia holds a sign demanding 'reparations' for Wallace's death on Tuesday night

A person uses a fire extinguisher to put out a burning barricade in Philadelphia on Tuesday

A person uses a fire extinguisher to put out a burning barricade in Philadelphia on Tuesday 

Looters run out of a cellphone store following protests over the police shooting death of Wallace in Philadelphia on Monday

Looters run out of a cellphone store following protests over the police shooting death of Wallace in Philadelphia on Monday

Looters gather at a burglarized beauty supply store in Philadelphia on Monday night. Cops say there were 91 arrests for looting and rioting, including 76 arrests for burglary, 11 assaults on police and eight police vehicles damaged

Looters gather at a burglarized beauty supply store in Philadelphia on Monday night. Cops say there were 91 arrests for looting and rioting, including 76 arrests for burglary, 11 assaults on police and eight police vehicles damaged

During Monday's unrest, police cars and dumpsters were set on fire as officers struggled to contain the crowds. More than a dozen officers, many with batons in hand, formed a line as they ran down 52nd Street, dispersing most of the crowd.

In at least one video posted to social media, an officer can be seen appearing to arrest a young black woman. A white officer wrestles the woman to the ground, lying with his back against her, and punches her repeatedly.

A request for comment or details about the incident was not returned by police Tuesday. A District Attorney's office spokesperson urged people with concerns about misconduct or crime during the protest to report those issues to the office's special investigations unit.

Karon Hylton, 20, died Monday while being chased on his scooter by police in the nation's capital

Karon Hylton, 20, died Monday while being chased on his scooter by police in the nation's capital

The 52nd Street corridor was also the site of protests against police brutality at the end of May, after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police. 

Those protests have been the subject of City Council hearings, with protesters describing harsh and unnecessary tactics, including tear gas and projectiles fired by police.

Wallace's death also sparked triggered Tuesday night protests in New York City and Washington DC, where another black man, 20-year-old Karon Hylton, died on Monday after crashing into a car while being chased on a Revel scooter by police. 

DC police say Hylton was pursued after officers saw him riding the scooter without a helmet last Friday. But the dad-of-one's friend said: 'They hit him in the back of his scooter and pushed him into the oncoming car.' 

Video showed protesters smashing windows at a police station in the capital city on Tuesday as one person was arrested and four officers suffered non-life threatening injuries. 

A woman identified as Hylton's mom was filmed outside the police station in the city telling officers: 'You know it was wrong.' 

She later appears to have been maced by officers during protests. Other footage from the city shows tear gas has been deployed.  

Demonstrators broke windows at a police station in Washington during a protest on Tuesday night

Demonstrators broke windows at a police station in Washington during a protest on Tuesday night 

Demonstrators gather outside the 4th District Police Station in Washington during a protest against Hylton's death

Demonstrators gather outside the 4th District Police Station in Washington during a protest against Hylton's death 

Washington Metropolitan Police Department officers stand near the 4th District Police Station on Tuesday

Washington Metropolitan Police Department officers stand near the 4th District Police Station on Tuesday

A woman identified as Hylton's mom was filmed outside the police station in the city Tuesday telling officers: 'You know it was wrong.' She later appears to have been maced by officers during protests, picturedA woman identified as Hylton's mom is helped by protesters after she appears to have been maced

A woman identified as Hylton's mom was filmed outside the police station in the city Tuesday telling officers: 'You know it was wrong.' She later appears to have been maced by officers during protests

Around 200 protesters came out in New York City on Tuesday night in response to the deaths of Wallace and Hylton. 

They gathered in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn before marching through the streets, chanting: 'Burn the precinct to the ground, every city, every town!'

Footage appeared to show a car driving through a line of cops in Brooklyn. It is not known if any officers were injured.  

Local reports said people were seen painting graffiti on buildings, with one spraying 'RIP Walter' onto a building. 

Additional images show store fronts with broken windows and NYPD arresting protesters.

The White House issued a statement just before 1am Wednesday asserting that the unrest was another consequence of 'Liberal Democrats' war against the police' and that the Trump administration 'stands proudly with law enforcement, and stands ready, upon request, to deploy any and all Federal resources to end these riots'.

'Law enforcement is an incredibly dangerous occupation, and thousands of officers have given their lives in the line of duty,' said the statement from press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. 

'All lethal force incidents must be fully investigated. The facts must be followed wherever they lead to ensure fair and just results. In America, we resolve conflicts through the courts and the justice system. We can never allow mob rule.'

NYPD officers wearing masks arrest a man, center right, following a protest of 200 people on Tuesday

NYPD officers wearing masks arrest a man, center right, following a protest of 200 people on Tuesday 

The smashed windows of the Bank of America are seen following a protest of 200 people in Brooklyn on Tuesday

The smashed windows of the Bank of America are seen following a protest of 200 people in Brooklyn on Tuesday

Officers stand outside the smashed windows of Urban Outfitters in New York City on Tuesday evening

Officers stand outside the smashed windows of Urban Outfitters in New York City on Tuesday evening 

more videos

Nigel Farage at Arizona rally: 'Trump is bravest man in the world'

Baby pretending to use phone gets shock when it rings

Shocking fight breaks out between passengers on Ryanair flight

Emmanuel Macron orders France back into COVID-19 lockdown

Adorable moment alpaca gives its mother a hug

Burglar caught sleeping next to half-eaten cheesecake

Dorset PC Brehmer jailed for ten years for lover's manslaughter

Athlete leaps more than 5ft off ground in astonishing box jump

Terrifying moment Ferrari driver loses control on Lambeth Bridge

'I'm a Busy Man': 4-year-old goes over his lengthy to-do list

Paraglider kicks football as he glides through the air

'Doesn't exist': Durham councillor claims Covid is 'a fake virus'

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o