Family calls for justice after Philadelphia police walk back details of fatal traffic stop shooting
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are shedding more light, and addressing discrepancies after a traffic stop that turned deadly when an officer fired several shots at a 27-year-old man Monday afternoon.
Two officers initiated the traffic stop when they witnessed an erratic driver, who eventually came to a stop after driving the wrong way down Willard Street.
Police say both officers got out of their patrol car, approached the vehicle, and attempted to open the man's passenger side door.
One officer alerted the other that the man had a weapon, according to authorities.
That officer then discharged his firearm multiple times into the vehicle, police said in a statement released Tuesday.
Initial information from police stated that the man got out of his vehicle armed with a knife, and lunged at the officers after ignoring commands to drop his weapon.
"At this time, the evidence clearly indicates that the male was not outside the vehicle and was seated inside at the time of the discharge," said Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
Man armed with knife fatally shot by Philadelphia officer during traffic stop, police say
Police say a driver who was carrying a knife was fatally shot by a Philadelphia police officer during a traffic stop Monday.
Two knives were later observed inside the vehicle, according to police, who towed the vehicle to a garage as evidence.
Police say the officers' body worn cameras did capture the shooting, but have yet to release the footage.
The officer who fired the fatal shots is said to be a 5-year veteran of the department, and has been placed on administrative leave.
The man, identified by his family as 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry was pronounced dead a short time later at a local hospital. His family is now calling for justice after the new details emerged in the shooting death.
"Justice is putting him in jail," said his aunt Zoraida Garcia. "They lock everybody else up who commits a crime. He committed a crime."
"They kill him in the car that’s what I want to know," Irizarry's grandfather Nelson Garcia said. "Why they did that? I do not understand."