Guard in Philadelphia after looting follows police shooting

Philadelphia (AP) — The Pennsylvania National Guard arrived in Philadelphia on Friday following days of protests, store break-ins and ATM thefts after a Black man holding a knife was shot at 14 times by police, killing him.

The Guard is currently set to remain in the city through next week, officials said. Their mission is to help quell the unrest that began after the death of Walter Wallace Jr. on Monday. The mayor’s office said the city requested that the guard help with “the current situation and election preparation.”

Wallace’s death led the mayor to lock down the city with an overnight curfew that was later rescinded. There were no large- scale protests Wednesday and Thursday nights, and it’s not clear if the city is considering additional curfews or restrictions.

Wallace’s family had called Monday for medical services and police, but only the latter arrived, said the family’s lawyer, Shaka Johnson. Less than 30 seconds into the encounter, Wallace was dead, felled by 14 bullets, he said.

Police have said the two officers fired after Wallace ignored orders to drop a knife. Wallace’s mother and wife were outside, shouting to police about his mental health problems, Johnson said.

A wake and funeral for Wallace has been scheduled for Nov. 7, Johnson said Friday.

Footage from body-worn cameras that was taken as police responded to the call shows Wallace became incapacitated after the first shot of 14 that two officers fired at him, Johnson said, describing footage he said police showed him and other members of Wallace’s family before a plan to release it and 911 calls publicly.