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Family of Walter Wallace Jr. sues Philadelphia police officers involved in fatal shooting
The family of Walter Wallace Jr. is suing the two officers who shot and killed him in October.
WEST PHILADELPHIA - The family of Walter Wallace Jr. is suing the two Philadelphia police officers who fatally shot him in West Philly.
The suit accuses officers Sean Matarazzo and Thomas Munz Jr. of using unreasonable force when they shot Wallace more than a dozen times outside his family's home after he approached them with a knife in October 2020.
Wallace's family said he was in the middle of a mental health crisis. Body camera footage of the shooting was the first to ever be released by the department.
The shooting sparked days of unrest and protests throughout the city.
The officers remain on restricted duty status pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation.
A separate lawsuit is expected to be filed against the city over the moments that lead up to his death alleging inadequate police training and a failure to equip officers with tasers.
The Philadelphia Police Department declined to comment on the civil litigation. The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office says the investigation is ongoing.
Mobile users can view the civil suit, here.
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