Walter Wallace, a 27-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by a police officer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 26, 2020. According to police, he was armed with a knife. Demonstrations were held in Philadelphia that day and lasting into subsequent days.

The shooting took place around 4 p.m., as police responded to a report of a man armed with a knife. Video on social media showed Wallace walking into the street as people yell and two police officers aim their guns at him. At one point, Wallace, who is several feet away from the officers in the video, walks toward them as they quickly move backward. The camera pointed down toward the ground as a dozen shots are heard.^[1] Wallace's mother tried desperately to stop him moments before the officers opened fire and killed him.^[2]

Investigators said the officers involved were wearing police body cameras which would be part of the investigation. Chief Inspector Frank Vanore said each officer fired about seven rounds, but would still need to determine how many shots struck Wallace.^[2]

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said the shooting, which was partially captured on video by a bystander, raised “difficult questions that must be answered,” and the police commissioner said there would be an investigation.^[1] Wallace's father, Walter Wallace Sr, said his son had mental health issues and was on medication and enquired as to why the police did not use a Taser instead.^[3]

On October 26, protesters marched through West Philadelphia, and video posted on social media appeared to show the police clashing with demonstrators. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, thirty police officers were injured, in most cases by bricks and rocks that were thrown by protesters. Five police vehicles and one fire department vehicle were vandalized.^[1]

The violence and unrest then spread to other parts of West Philadelphia and other adjacent city neighborhoods. Police arrested at least 91 people overnight, charging most with looting.^[2]

During the clashes, a pickup truck drove into the crowd, running over a police officer. It is unclear whether the driver meant to hit police, protestors, or if they had neither of these intentions and the occurence was an accident. The officer suffered a broken leg, among other injuries, but she is expected to recover.^[4]

• 2020 United States racial unrest
• George Floyd protests