Mary Floyd Palmer, one of the clergy members who spoke at the news conference, said Mr. Wallace should be here today. She said Philadelphians should show compassion and care in response to his death.
God is watching, she said. So are our children. What will they say about what you have done?
On Wednesday, about 300 people gathered outside City Hall to protest the killing. They stood in front of a banner that read Count Every Vote, near the Pennsylvania Convention Center where city officials were tallying ballots in the presidential election.
As helicopters flew overhead, about two dozen National Guard troops stood alongside Philadelphia police officers.
City officials said the Police Department and the District Attorneys Office were continuing to investigate the shooting.
The officers were identified on Wednesday as Sean Matarazzo, 25, who has been with the department since 2018, and Thomas Munz, 26, who has been on the force since 2017. The Police Department said both officers had been placed on restrictive duty while the investigation continues. Messages left with Philadelphias police union were not immediately returned.
City officials also said they were expanding programs intended to help the police defuse mental health crises without violence.
Next week, officials said, 911 call takers and dispatchers will be trained to better identify calls related to people in crisis, so they can dispatch specially trained officers.read more
Philadelphia Releases Body-Camera Video of Fatal Police Shooting of Black Man
