Violence erupted overnight in western Philadelphia following the shooting of a black man wielding a knife at officers, including one sergeant who video shows was struck by a truck during the riots.
The protests began following the death of 27-year-old William Wallace Jr. at the hands of city officers earlier in the day.
Police report that Wallace, allegedly armed with a knife, refused to comply with orders to put the weapon down and instead ran towards them.
Witnesses also stated that Wallace had a knife while police spokesperson Tanya Little reported that he “advanced toward” the officers despite their having guns drawn.
Video of the incident was captured and shared across social media.
BREAKING
*graphic warning*Officers have shot and killed a knife-wielding suspect in #Philadelphia, PA after an altercation.
Protesters are allegedly already gathering at the scene. pic.twitter.com/kzbSDAtn19
— Shane B. Murphy (@shanermurph) October 26, 2020
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Riots, Looting, and a Sergeant Run Down in Philadelphia
In short order, protesters began swarming the scene and violent riots raged out of control throughout the night.
“Stores including several Rite Aid pharmacies, a restaurant, and clothing and shoe shops were broken into,” Fox News reports. “Two ATMs were also reported to have been smashed.”
The violence went beyond simple opportunists taking advantage of a racially charged scene, however.
Police cars and dumpsters were set on fire according to NBC 10 Philadelphia while at least 30 officers were injured.
BREAKING, UPDATE: @PPDEricGripp says 30 @PhillyPolice officers were injured overnight in #WestPhilly civil unrest. Most of the injuries were related to projectile items being thrown at officers. Several dozen arrests were made for looting and vandalizing at local businesses.
— Lauren Dawn Johnson (@LaurenDawnFox29) October 27, 2020
Some of the incidents concerning officer injuries involved projectiles – bricks and rocks – being thrown at police.
Reporter Andy Ngo referred to the violence as “BLM riots” and shared a video of perhaps the worst scene – a 56-year-old female sergeant being struck by a pickup truck.
At the Philadelphia BLM riot, a cop got hit or run over by a speeding vehicle. pic.twitter.com/S12XuEoNAi
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) October 27, 2020
Fox News reports that she is in stable condition but suffered “a broken leg and other injuries.”
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Joe Biden and President Trump’s Stance on Law and Order
Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden has repeatedly suggested that tragic incidents such as the one in West Philadelphia can be quelled if officers were trained to de-escalate situations involving dangerous suspects by shooting them in the leg.
“Instead of anybody coming at you and the first thing you do is shoot to kill, you shoot them in the leg,” Biden concluded.
.@JoeBiden says police should try shooting dangerous criminals “in the leg” pic.twitter.com/u3phk3MHSq
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 16, 2020
Several law enforcement professionals have questioned the effectiveness of such a tactic in the real world.
Biden has also repeatedly put forth a proposal to have psychiatrists and/or psychologists accompany police officers on dangerous calls.
President Trump meanwhile has focused on a seemingly simpler message – law and order.
“We want law and order,” the President proclaimed at a ‘peaceful protest’ earlier this month. “We have to have law and order.”
Trump presses Biden to name a single law enforcement agency who supports him
Biden can’t name a single one and says he doesn’t have time to talk about it
Democrat Chris Wallace interrupts to stop the embarrassing moment for Biden pic.twitter.com/zYFrx2s0SS
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) September 30, 2020
The President’s simpler message has resonated louder amongst law enforcement as he continues to rack up endorsements.
The National Organization for Police Organizations (NAPO) endorsed the Obama-Biden campaign in both 2008 and 2012, but have now endorsed Trump in 2020.
The largest NYPD police union comprising roughly 24,000 cops, the NYC Police Benevolent Association (PBA), formally endorsed the President for reelection in August.
The NYC PBA is proud to endorse @realDonaldTrump for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/DpT8v8bJtz
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) August 15, 2020
The Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest police union, also endorsed President Trump.
Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police, the Colorado State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Latino Peace Officers Association Advocacy (NLPOA-Advocacy) have all endorsed President Trump.
Biden, meanwhile, was forced to admit that he had “support from police my whole career up until this year.”
Perhaps that’s because officers like the one in the video out of Philadelphia believe the former vice president will never have their back the way Trump does.
