Groups of People Loot Stores in Philadelphia: At Least 15 Arrested

Stores in Philadelphia were looted by a crowd of juveniles and young people, following a protest over dropped charges in a fatal police shooting.

Yesterday, Philadelphia experienced a series of unfortunate events that included both a peaceful protest and a wave of looting. The day began with a protest near City Hall over the dismissal of charges against a police officer involved in the shooting death of Eddie Irizarry. However, it is important to note that the subsequent looting was not connected to the protest.

According to Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford, a crowd of juveniles and young people, numbering around 100 individuals, broke into stores in Philadelphia's Center City area. Stanford emphasized that these individuals were not protesters, but rather "criminal opportunists" taking advantage of the situation. He condemned their actions, stating that the destruction of the city would not be tolerated.

Video footage captured by NBC Philadelphia showed individuals wearing hooded sweatshirts running in and out of an Apple store, carrying merchandise. A nearby Foot Locker was also targeted during the looting spree. Stanford mentioned that there were reports of businesses being broken into outside of Center City as well. Social media chatter indicated that certain locations were being targeted, and there may have been a coordinated effort involving a "caravan" of vehicles moving between different areas.

As of late Tuesday, approximately 15 to 20 arrests had been made, and two firearms were recovered. The exact number of stores affected by the looting was unclear, but Stanford assured the public that more information would be available by Wednesday. He stressed that law enforcement would be utilizing video evidence and other resources to identify and apprehend additional suspects.

Earlier in the day, Philadelphia Municipal Judge Wendy Pew dismissed all criminal charges against Mark Dial, the police officer accused of wrongfully killing Eddie Irizarry. This decision, which included the dismissal of murder charges, prompted prosecutors to pledge their intention to re-file charges against Dial and appeal the judge's ruling. The timing of the looting in relation to the protest over the dropped charges may have added to the confusion surrounding the events.

Philadelphia Managing Director Tumar Alexander expressed his disappointment with the looting, describing it as "disrespectful to the Irizarry family and what they're going through right now." The city's officials are committed to ensuring justice for the Irizarry family while also addressing the criminal behavior that occurred.

In conclusion, Tuesday was a day of contrasting events in Philadelphia. While a peaceful protest took place, expressing dissatisfaction with the dismissal of charges against a police officer, a separate group of individuals engaged in criminal activity by looting stores. Law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the looting incidents and are urging anyone with information to come forward. The focus remains on upholding justice for Eddie Irizarry and maintaining the safety and security of the city.