Philadelphia rocked by fresh unrest after police shooting

Hundreds of protesters marched through the US city of Philadelphia for a second night, demanding racial justice after police fatally shot a black man.

The family of Walter Wallace Jr says he was suffering a mental health crisis when officers opened fire on him.

Police say they shot him because he would not drop a knife he was holding.

The National Guard as well as police reinforcements have been deployed. Authorities say 30 officers were hurt during Monday night clashes.

The city’s police have also accused protesters of looting and ransacking businesses during the unrest.

Mr Wallace, 27, had bipolar disorder, and his wife told officers this before they shot him, a lawyer representing his family said.

Philadelphia also saw large protests earlier this year over police brutality and racism following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

What happened on Tuesday?
The marches began peacefully on Tuesday but became more confrontational as the evening drew on. Officers in riot gear arrived in squad cars, on bicycles and on buses, and used their bikes to shove protesters back from barricade lines.

Shops around the city closed early and set up barricades. Police and the city’s office of emergency management said widespread looting was reported in several areas.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, protesters tried to erect makeshift barricades using bins. Police used pepper spray and batons after saying they were attacked by demonstrators.