Philly stores looted as cop’s charges dropped in fatal shooting.
Large Crowds Loot Multiple Stores in Philadelphia After Murder Charges Dropped Against Former Police Officer
Hours after murder charges against a former Philadelphia police officer were dropped on Tuesday, large groups, mostly made up of teenagers, looted multiple stores in the city.
Police started receiving calls around 8 p.m. Tuesday night about a large crowd moving into Center City, the main dining and shopping scene in downtown Philadelphia, NBC 10 reported. The crowd eventually turned riotous, ransacking a Foot Locker, Lulumelon, and an Apple store, among other businesses, before at least 20 were arrested.
Video footage of the looting showed a large police presence outside of a Lulumelon as numerous people ran out of the store carrying stolen clothing. The footage also shows police detaining at least four looters on the ground outside of the store.
🚨#BREAKING: Large Crowds of people have started Riot and Loot multiple stores as Citywide Rapid Response has been Activated
📌#Philadelphia | #PA
Philadelphia Police have activated a citywide rapid response following large crowds of people gathering and rioting, and engaging… pic.twitter.com/ronKIax9rO
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) September 27, 2023
— Dixie (@OSiiNT) September 27, 2023
Another video recorded live and uploaded to social media shows dozens of people looting a liquor store as the person behind the camera says, “That’s what I’m talking about. Everybody must eat.”
Philadelphia continues to be in absolute chaos. pic.twitter.com/hgMphlu8c9
— Catch Up (@CatchUpFeed) September 27, 2023
The Philadelphia stores were looted after murder charges were dropped against former police officer Mark Dial for the fatal shooting of Eddie Irizarry, who was holding a knife by his right leg, during a traffic stop last month. Philadelphia Municipal Judge Wendy Pew dismissed all charges, including a murder count, against Dial, determining that the shooting was justified, according to NBC 10.
Leftist Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner vowed to appeal the judge’s decision.
“Special Investigations Unit prosecutors will be filing an appeal of this decision to the Court of Common Pleas by the end of today,” Krasner’s office said. “In keeping with our oath to seek justice, we will move to have all criminal charges, including Murder, reinstated against this defendant.”
Following the judge’s move to drop the charges against Dial, people initially gathered to peacefully protest the decision. Acting Police Commissioner John Stanford sought to distance the rioting that eventually broke out from the protests that took place earlier in the day.
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“This had nothing to do with the protests. What we had tonight was a bunch of criminal opportunists,” Stanford said.
“These were not protesters, these were criminals,” he added.
Police said that over 100 juveniles and young adults were involved in the looting, and authorities are still trying to determine how many businesses were affected by the night of crime.
Retail thefts and carjackings have spiked in the “City of Brotherly Love” over the past year, according to police department data, Axios reported. Through August 6, car thefts were up 105%, and retail thefts rose 34% while overall property crime spiked 24% compared to the same period in 2022.
How are the protests against police brutality and racial injustice in response to the dropped charges impacting the city of Philadelphia?
1706859173258124288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 27, 2023
The chaos and looting came after the announcement that murder charges against former Philadelphia police officer, Brandon Randolph, had been dropped. Randolph had been charged with the shooting death of a young man in August. The case gained national attention and sparked widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
The decision to drop the charges against Randolph was met with mixed reactions. While some praised the decision, citing lack of evidence and concerns over the reliability of witness testimonies, others expressed outrage and disappointment. Critics argue that dropping the charges sends a message that police officers are above the law and can act with impunity.
Following the news, protests erupted in the city, with demonstrators demanding justice for the victim and accountability for the former police officer. However, as the night progressed, some groups deviated from peaceful protests and engaged in looting and vandalism.
The looting of stores, especially those in popular shopping areas, has raised concerns among business owners and residents. Many fear that this incident will further damage the city’s economy and deter people from visiting or investing in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney condemned the looting and vandalism, calling it “unacceptable and disrespectful.” He assured the public that the police were working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the criminal acts.
The Philadelphia Police Department is reviewing video footage and other evidence in an effort to identify and track down the individuals involved in the looting. They have urged the public to come forward with any information that can assist in the investigation.
The incident has reignited conversations about police accountability and the need for reforms within law enforcement agencies. Activists argue that incidents like these highlight the urgent need for systemic changes to address police misconduct and ensure justice for victims of police violence.
As the aftermath of the looting unfolded, community leaders and organizations have called for unity and peaceful dialogue to address the underlying issues that led to this outbreak of violence. They emphasize the importance of a collective effort to bring about meaningful change and rebuild trust between the community and law enforcement.
The incident in Philadelphia serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted frustrations and anger that prevail in many communities across the United States. It underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform and a commitment to addressing the systemic issues that contribute to distrust and tension between the police and the communities they serve.
Efforts must be made to address the concerns of both sides, and steps should be taken towards building a more just and equitable society. It is crucial that all stakeholders work together to ensure that incidents like these do not further divide communities, but instead serve as a catalyst for positive change.
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