PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police have released the body cam footage and 911 call of the fatal officer-involved shooting of Walter Wallace Jr.
After numerous calls for the video to be released since the shooting occurred, city officials and the Wallace family agreed last week that the footage and call would be released on Wednesday, the day after the election, saying it is “in the best interest of the city and its residents.”
In a statement, they said “releasing the recordings on November 4 will provide enough time to calm tensions and for the recordings to be released in the most constructive manner possible.”
Please be advised that the video below contains graphic and violent material that may be upsetting to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
The Wallace family saw the video and heard the 911 call last week. Initially, their lawyer criticized the city for not releasing both immediately.
The family has asked that the officers involved in Wallace's death not be charged, as the shooting was the result of inadequate training and equipment.
The officers were identified as 26-year-old Thomas Munz and 25-year-old Sean Matarazzo, both of the 18th District. Munz has been with the department since 2017, and Matarazzo since 2018.
The video shows police at 61st and Locust streets on Oct. 26. The 27-year-old husband and father was shot and killed by the two officers. Police said each officer fired at least seven times. It’s not yet clear how many bullets struck Wallace.
The Wallace family said they intended to call 911 for an ambulance, as he was experiencing some sort of breakdown from a mental illness.
“The police are not the violent ones in this town with 417 murders. The police officers did everything they were trained to do. They did their job. Unfortunately, that involved the taking of a human life,” said John McGrody, vice president for the Fraternal Order of Police.
Protesters took to the streets Wednesday night, demanding justice for Wallace.
“When they want peace and they want harmony in their cities, that includes justice for Black and Brown people,” said Monique Perry of Point Breeze, who came out to the protests.
Protesters made their way from City Hall to Old City, merging with the “Count Every Vote” protest, which was formed after the Trump campaign announced it is taking legal action to stop the vote count in Pennsylvania over what it says is a lack of transparency.