PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia man is facing federal charges after he was caught on body cam video charging at police with a gun in a ransacked store during last year’s civil unrest.
Mashaq White, 23, has been charged with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
Authorities say on June 1, 2020 — the third day of protests and looting across the city in response to the death of George Floyd — police responded to a pharmacy burglary in West Philadelphia. There, police say White charged down an aisle toward them with a handgun, which was captured on body cam video. He was subsequently arrested.
“Getting guns away from people who shouldn’t have them is a crucial part of our concerted effort to check violent crime in this city,” said Michael J. Driscoll, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division.
“Our office is committed to prosecuting anybody who took advantage of the civil unrest and protests of last summer to try to commit violent acts or otherwise violate federal law,” added acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams.
White was detained on Friday pending trial. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.