Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

1,000 Looters Turn Philly Retail Zone into "Total Loss"

In the second night of unrest in Philadelphia after the Monday shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. by police, police say 1,000 looters descended on retail stores in the Port Richmond neighborhood.

October 28, 2020
1,000 Looters Turn Philly Retail Zone into "Total Loss"

Looters rampage into a WalMart in Philadelphia Tuesday night. (Photo: ABC6 Screen Shot)

2 min to read



In the second night of unrest in Philadelphia after the Monday shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. by police, police say 1,000 looters descended on retail stores in the Port Richmond neighborhood.

Police told CBS Philly that the area was "a total loss."

Ad Loading...

Looters also hit stores in other parts of the city.

Philadelphia County's District Attorney Larry Krasner has reportedly charged dozens of suspect with felony burglary related to Monday's looting.

Despite the prosecutions a Fox29 reporter tweeted that police were ordered not to arrest looters Tuesday night.

Breaking: OBTAINED BY FOX29 NEWS. Directive from @PhillyPolice executive team. Extremely frustrated officers, both patrol&commanders told me overnight they were”ordered to NOT arrest looters just disperse them”. ‘CAR-2’ is Deputy Police Commissioner Melvin Singleton @FOX29phillypic.twitter.com/HVjryECnrv

— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) October 28, 2020

ABC6 reports at least seven ATMs were damaged by explosives. 10 ATMs were blown up during the Monday riots. It does not appear that the ATM blast are opening the cash boxes.In other areas of the city, protesters clashed with police at the 18 District police station. There were no reports of injuries.

Ad Loading...

Fox 29 reports the city has set a 6 p.m. curfew for Wednesday night.

Wallace Jr., 27, was killed on Monday afternoon by two officers after, police say, he walked towards them with a knife and refused to drop the weapon. Neither officer was issued a TASER, officials say.

Video from the scene shows the officers repeatedly issuing commands to the man to "put down the knife."

WHYY reporter Peter Crimmins told NPR that Wallace "was 27 years old, married, and the father of eight children with another on the way. He made his living driving Uber and an aspiring rapper, and he was also diagnosed with a bipolar condition. He was prescribed lithium, and he had more than his fair share of run-ins with the law for aggressive behavior, most recently in March, for making threats. And he had been, in the past, sentenced to some court-ordered mental health treatments. But when he was on his meds, apparently, he was a really mellow guy. People say he was calm, a nice guy, a family guy."

The Pennsylvania National Guard is sending several hundred members to support the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management and local agencies, according to a statement. They are not expected to arrive until Friday.

More Patrol

Team Wendy graphic announcing sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation, featuring a black-and-white photo of Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore, whose end of watch was November 11, 2023.
PatrolAugust 27, 2026

Team Wendy Announces Title Sponsorship of the Jorge Pastore Foundation

Team Wendy’s 3-year partnership with the Jorge Pastore Foundation expands access to programs that strengthen those who serve.

Read More →
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund graphic for the 2026 9/11 commemoration ceremony beside a close-up of a police officer’s badge, with blurred emergency lights in the background.
PatrolAugust 27, 2026

National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum Hosting 9/11 25th-Year Commemoration Ceremony

The National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum is hosting a 9/11 25th Year Commemoration Ceremony on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m.

Read More →
Officer of the Month graphic for June 2026 honoring officers of the Chico, California, Police Department, featuring the department’s police badge and a rose emblem.
PatrolAugust 20, 2026

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Announces June 2026 Officers of the Month

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) named 15 officers of the Chico Police Department (California) as the Officers of the Month for June 2026 for their roles in responding to an active-shooter incident at a public library.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Three smartphone screens display the Team Wendy community app, featuring tactical gear content, upcoming events, news, surveys, and navigation tools for warranty, sizing, and user profiles.
PatrolAugust 13, 2026

Team Wendy App Creates New Digital Hub for Helmet Owners

The Team Wendy Community App provides one location for warranty registration, size-fit tools, product updates, and community connection. For helmet owners, the new app creates a simpler path to the information and tools that matter most.

Read More →
Security officer wearing an earpiece uses a handheld two-way radio at an outdoor event, with PositionPTT push-to-talk radio accessories and earpiece shown alongside for professional communications.
PatrolJuly 28, 2026

PositionPTT & Pryme Combine Communication Technologies to Deliver Distracted Driving Compliance

Pryme Radio Accessories and hardware/software maker PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free communications and ensure Department of Transportation compliance using an integrated system of push-to-talk platforms, devices, and audio equipment.

Read More →
Graphic announcing $25 million in law enforcement grants and resources over a photo of the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., with large blue-and-white headline text overlaying the building.
PatrolJuly 23, 2026

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips YouTube thumbnail asking, “What qualifies a device as rugged or fully rugged?” featuring a Panasonic Toughbook laptop on a dark street background.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 23, 2026

What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?

What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.

Read More →
Leadership update graphic featuring Team Wendy President Vasilios Brachos standing in front of a display of protective helmets, with POLICE Law Enforcement Solutions branding and text announcing his appointment as company president.
PatrolJuly 22, 2026

Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President

Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.

Read More →
BRINC fundraising announcement graphic featuring a response drone in flight, highlighting a $125 million funding round to expand 911 response drones for police and fire stations, led by Motorola Solutions Ventures with additional investors.
PatrolJuly 16, 2026

Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →