PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Peaceful protesters marched across the city Thursday evening with the family of the man who was shot and killed by a Philadelphia police officer earlier this month.
The group walked along a 2-mile path through the streets of North Philadelphia, ending in front of the 24th and 25th Police District building and demanding justice for 27-year-old Eddie Jose Irizarry.
Investigators said Officer Mark Dial fired several shots into the closed driver’s side window of Irizarry’s car on Aug. 14, just seconds after Irizarry parked his car the wrong way on Willard Street in Fairhill. He died soon after.
Dial has since been suspended with the intent to dismiss. According to Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, Dial violated several department policies. The first police report of the shooting claimed Irizarry was standing outside of his car and lunging at officers with a knife, but neighborhood surveillance cameras showed that to be false.
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Thursday's march started with a rally at Taller Puertorriqueño, a Latinx arts and culture organization on North Fifth Street. Executive Director Nasheli Ortiz González said they want transparency and a fair investigation.
“Everybody is very in shock and a lot of people are sad, having it been national news, of this vile assassination,” she said. “So we are trying to amend and to give a voice to Eddie and just support the family.”
Some people want more to be done.
“Mark Dial has to go to jail!” protesters shouted outside the police building. “Say his name: Eddie Irizarry!”
Their 2-mile march also led them to the spot where Irizarry was killed; some placed flowers in his honor.
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Irizarry’s aunt, Zoraida Garcia, said she didn’t know half of the people who joined the march, but she calls it a blessing.
“It feels good,” she said. “Everyone spoke their mind. We’re just fighting for justice because [Dial] needs to be held accountable. He needs to be locked up.”
The family has demanded the police body camera footage of the shooting be released immediately. Garcia said some family members have seen it but not all. She expects it to be released to the public in the next two weeks or so.