Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District), State Representative Joanna McClinton, State Senator Anthony H. Williams and City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District) will host a community event tonight in response to the tragic shootings in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood during a July 4th cookout. Two men in their 20s were killed and a 16-year-old girl was injured.

The event, titled “Hope and Healing” is in support of Cobbs Creek residents in the aftermatch of the shootings.

“This event, along with other recent shootings in the area, have left community members feeling afraid for their safety and the wellbeing of their loved ones and neighbors,” reads an official announcement. Continue Reading

A 30-year-old-man was shot multiple times and killed this afternoon on the 5200 block of Cedar Avenue, according to reports. The shooting took place shortly after 2:30 p.m., according to police. The man was shot at least three times – in the head, in the neck and in his left arm.

He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:59 p.m., according to police.

Police recovered a weapon on the scene. No arrests have been made as of this afternoon.

The Philadelphia Police Department has released police bodycam video and 911 calls from last month’s fatal shooting of 27-year-old West Philadelphia resident Walter Wallace Jr. by two police officers, which prompted days of protests and civil unrest in the city.

The graphic video includes footage of the moment the police officers arrived at Wallace’s residence at 61st and Locust, Wallace exiting his house and walking outside, apparently holding a knife, the moment of the shooting and the aftermath when bystanders rushed to help Wallace. A woman can be seen trying to intervene and someone can be heard screaming “He’s mental!” before he was shot. The full video is available here.

Wallace’s family said earlier that he was going through a mental health crisis when 911 calls were made on Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, asking for help because he was reportedly assaulting his parents. The calls were placed by Wallace’s relatives and a concerned neighbor. Continue Reading

After one-day break (no curfew on Thursday), a citywide curfew has been declared for Philadelphia again starting tonight (Oct. 30) at 9 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday. During this time, residents are allowed to leave their homes only to go to work, seek medical or emergency assistance, or drop off a mail-in ballot.

Heavier police presence can be seen this afternoon around 52nd Street in West Philadelphia. Also, as had been expected, the National Guard started arriving in the city today, following a few days of civil unrest as the result of the police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. on Monday: Continue Reading

UPDATE: Protests and peaceful marches continued on Tuesday in West Philadelphia:

“When I say ‘Walter’ you say ‘Wallace’” hundreds marching peacefully down 5200 block of Pine toward 18th police district at 55th and Pine #WalterWallaceJr #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/PW2jFNnYPr

— West Philly Local (@WestPhillyLocal) October 28, 2020

Earlier today, members of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia marched to the 18th police precinct after #WalterWallaceJr was shot and killed by police officers Monday night in West Philly.

Protests are continuing in the city. Follow live updates here:https://t.co/A3sFDG95qX pic.twitter.com/vA0oC9Q1eV

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A tense scene on the 5200 block of Pine St. as police attempt to keep protesters moving. #WalterWallace #blacklivesmatter #phillyprotest

A post shared by West Philly Local (@westphillylocal) on Oct 27, 2020 at 6:56pm PDT

— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) October 27, 2020

Hundreds of people took to West Philly streets on Monday night to protest the death of a 27-year-old Black man who was shot multiple times and killed by police on the 6100 block of Locust Street shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday.

The man, later identified as Walter Wallace Jr., was reportedly holding a knife when police arrived. He was shot outside his residence in front of his mother and many other witnesses, according to reports. His family said that he was suffering from mental illness and his mother reportedly pleaded with police not to shoot him.

Following the shooting, protests and civil unrest erupted in West Philadelphia. Around 8 p.m. a crowd started gathering outside the 18th Police District headquarters near 55th and Pine. Several officers were reportedly injured in a standoff near the building.  Continue Reading

Gun violence in the city has claimed another victim. A 27-year-old man was shot multiple times and killed on the 600 block of S. 52nd Street on Monday night. The shooting took place at around 8:45 p.m., according to police. The victim was transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:12 p.m.

No arrests have been made and no weapon was recovered.

Numerous people were outside when the shooting happened, according to Captain Matthew Gillespie, the commanding officer of the 18th Police District:  Continue Reading