PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Pennsylvania National Guard has been deployed to Philadelphia after a night of civil unrest and looting following the fatal police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. in West Philadelphia Monday. The deployment comes as the city braces for potentially more violence and Wallace’s family calls for peace.
The National Guard says several hundred members are being deployed to the city at the request of Philadelphia County.
The @PANationalGuard confirms deployment in Philly: “At the request of Philadelphia County, the Pennsylvania National Guard is staffing several hundred members in Philadelphia to protect the right to peacefully assemble and protest while keeping people safe.
— Greg Argos (@GregArgosCBS3) October 27, 2020
…Assisting civil authorities during times of need is one of the core missions of the Guard. Members are well-trained and well-prepared to assist the commonwealth and its communities in any way they can.
— Greg Argos (@GregArgosCBS3) October 27, 2020
Thirty police officers were injured during violent protests Monday night, including a female officer who suffered a broken leg after being hit by a car.
Scores of West Philadelphia businesses were looted and a number of stores across Philadelphia have started boarding up their windows Tuesday in anticipation of more looting.
“I do not want to see my city tore down. We don’t need that. You’re not resolving anything for our family. Don’t do this in the name of my nephew because this is not what he would’ve wanted,” said Rodney Everett, Wallace’s uncle.
Wallace Jr., 27, was killed on Monday afternoon by two officers after, police say, he walked towards them and refused to drop the weapon. He was shot 14 times and neither officer was carrying a taser, officials say.