PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania National Guard arrived in Philadelphia Friday morning, responding to the civil unrest that followed the police shooting death of Walter Wallace Jr. on Monday.
Guardsmen were dispersed across Center City, standing solemnly around City Hall and the Municipal Services Building.
In the wake of Wallace’s death, protesters immediately took to the streets — as did separate clusters of vandals and looters.
Many businesses in West and North Philadelphia were vandalized or looted amid the civil unrest. Dozens of officers were injured, and their police cars were vandalized.
Police were called to 61st and Locust streets on Monday, where they said Wallace had a knife and was moving toward them.
The 27-year-old husband and father was shot and killed by two officers. Police said each officer fired at least seven times. It’s not yet clear how many bullets struck Wallace.
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The Wallace family said they called 911 to request an ambulance, as Wallace was experiencing mental distress and was in need of help.
Body camera footage of the shooting has not yet been released.
Stay with KYW Newsradio for more on this developing story.