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BLM protesters slammed for backing knife-wielding man fatally shot by Lancaster police: 'Pick better martyrs'

A crowd of about 400 protesters had reportedly gathered outside the Lancaster police station calling for justice and shouting 'Not one more!'

On Sunday, September 13, 27-year-old Ricardo Munoz was allegedly shot dead by Lancaster police. The incident happened after the city police responded to a home call in the 300 block of Laurel Street in Lancaster, at 4:15 pm to report a domestic disturbance. Munoz was pronounced dead at the scene. The footage of the incident went viral on social media where an officer can be seen in front of a house in Laurel Street, while a man immediately emerges from inside and runs toward the officer, allegedly brandishing a knife above his head, in a threatening manner.

A crowd of about 400 protesters had gathered outside the Lancaster police station calling for justice and shouting “Not one more!” according to Lancaster Online. The protesters were mostly peaceful, according to the report. Lancaster Police Chief Jarrad Berkihiser had earlier said that the shooting was captured on an officer’s body camera, and the officer has been placed on administrative leave per the department’s policy. He had said, “Any loss of life, regardless of how it happened, is devastating. It's devastating for everybody involved. It's devastating for our police department, the families and our community.”

As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, late on Sunday night, supposedly in response to the protesters outside, police released new details about the incident and also released the officer’s body-cam video. In a statement, they said that the 911 caller informed a Lancaster County dispatcher that her brother — Munoz — was reportedly being aggressive with his mother and was attempting to break into her house.

According to the report, the graphic video shows a woman coming out of the house when the officer arrives outside. The video then shows a man coming out of the house. The officer runs, as the man chases him with the knife raised. Shots are and the man can then be seen laying on the sidewalk. As per the latest update, protesters had gathered on a ramp near the Lancaster police station. Officers appeared to have used some sort of riot control agent, which protesters tossed back at officers clad in riot gear.

Munoz was previously nabbed by Lancaster Police after he stabbed two people on March 4, 2019. The statement released by Lancaster Police read, "Det. Matt Odenthal filed a criminal complaint against Munoz before MDJ Roth. Munoz has been charged with (4) counts Aggravated Assault (F1). Munoz was processed on the complaint and is awaiting preliminary arraignment."

A Twitter user Ian Miles Cheong, Managing Editor of HumanEvents, posted, "Ricardo Munoz, the man who died in the officer-involved shooting in Lancaster today that Black Lives Matter is rioting over, has a history of stabbing people. In 2019, he stabbed four people, including a teenager," alongside two screenshots from a CBS21 report. In the following tweet he said, "Pick better martyrs."

Many on Twitter were discussing the case on Twitter and were miffed with the BLM protesters. A user named Matt Walsh alleged, "BLM is rioting in Lancaster PA because a domestic abuser chased after a police officer with a knife and got shot. They're literally just turning any knife wielding lunatic into a martyr for their cause at this point." Tony Shaffer, a retired military intelligence officer, said, "This was apparently a justifiable use of police force by Lancaster, PA police to stop a man with a knife who had a criminal record of attacking people with a knife...but no matter - BLM will riot because they are a terrorist group..." Another concurred, "So there are BLM riots in Lancaster tonight as a result of this shooting. The man who was shot has a previous criminal history of stabbing people. So what is the desired outcome here? Are the only choices for police to let someone kill them or BLM riots regardless of the facts?"

A user stated, "Police get called to a domestic disturbance in Lancaster, PA. Male at the address comes out, armed with a knife & chases a cop. Cop defends himself. BLM now protesting. This is nothing to do with race & everything to do with the suspect’s actions." Another tried to reason, "Dear BLM: Not every police shooting or use of force is unjustified. You can't just charge someone with a knife and expect there to be no consequences." One commented, "So let me get this straight. BLM is protesting in Lancaster, PA over a man that bum rushed a cop with a large knife and got shot? They have even released the body cam video and it’s as clear as day. What did they want the officer to do? This is just pure stupidity."

Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams released a statement, as reported by WGAL, saying, "A police-involved shooting has significant impact on a community, as we are seeing with the large number of individuals gathering in the streets. However, I am asking that all reaction be tempered as the investigation is ongoing."

Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace also released a statement, "This has been a heartbreaking day for our city. I grieve for the loss of life and know that there are more questions to be answered as the investigation continues."

This is a developing story.

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