PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Dozens of protesters marched to Pennsylvania State Police headquarters in Northwest Philadelphia to demand justice for an 18-year-old killed by state troopers over the summer.
Around 100 people marched half a mile on Saturday from a shopping plaza at the intersection of Belmont and City avenues to the headquarters of the state police in support of Anthony Allegrini Jr.
"He was loving, caring, generous, thoughtful, fun, outgoing … That's how he is, and that's how he always was. That's why this is ridiculous," said Anthony Allegrini Sr. about his son. The younger Allegrini was shot and killed by a state trooper on June 4 while at a car racing meetup on I-95 in Center City.
At a press conference a day after the shooting, state police said Anthony Jr. drove his Audi towards two troopers and "failed to yield." One shot through his windshield, killing him. But in the days and months since his killing, troopers have been tight-lipped about what actually happened that night.
It's against Pennsylvania State Police policy for officers to discharge at a moving motor vehicle without the threat of death or serious bodily injury.
Terence Jones, founder of the nonprofit Total Justice, opened the rally, saying it was the troopers that put themselves at serious risk, not Anthony Jr.
"He was just a spectator," Jones said, "and they got out of their vehicle, and they violated their own police directive. They put themselves in imminent danger."
Enrique Latoison, an attorney retained by the family, said the march and rally were just the beginning. "We're not going away," he said. "We're looking for justice, looking for a thorough investigation, and we're looking for this family to get answers."
State police are leading their own internal investigation and the Philly District Attorney's Office is leading a criminal investigation. Neither have responded to KYW Newsradio's requests for further comment.
Christina Manoogian, Anthony Jr's step-aunt, said the lack of communication is making the family desperate. "We haven't gotten any answers," she said, pleading for accountability.
"This whole thing is unjust and ridiculous," said the elder Allegrini, echoing her sentiments. "Nothing makes sense."
