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Who are the two cops identified in Walter Wallace Jr shooting? ‘Horrifying’ bodycam footage sparks fury

Wallace family attorney Shaka Johnson has argued that the person shown in the footage had 'obvious mental health crisis'

Nearly 10 days after the fatal shooting of the 27-year-old Black man Walter Wallace Jr, Philadelphia police released the footage from the body-camera of two officers involved in the incident. Wallace Jr was shot to death on October 26, which lead to widespread protests and riots. 

At the beginning of the video, a note reads, "The family of Water Wallace Jr specifically approved the release of these materials." The video consists of two different footage, one from each officer's body camera. 

It shows Wallace Jr. walking out of his house onto the street with a knife in hand, while the police officers with their guns draw are screaming "Put the knife down". He continues to about around when his mother comes out crying, requesting the cops to not shoot him. At one point when Wallace Jr. walks ahead of his mother, he's struck with multiple shots. 

The Philadelphia police commissioner, Danielle Outlaw said during a press conference that "Wednesday night marked the first time in the department’s history that it had done so" while addressing the release of the footage, reports The Guardian. 

She said, “While this is not a milestone to be celebrated, we truly believe that this is an important step in our commitment to transparency. The release of this footage has been very carefully considered, with the safety of the officers and the community in mind."

Who are the two officers?

Danielle Outlaw identified 25-year-old Sean Matarazzo and the 26-year-old Thomas Munz as the officers responsible for the shooting of Wallace Jr. They are both from 18th District. While Matarazzo has been with the department since 2018, Munz since 2017.

District attorney Jim Kenney said that releasing the footage was an "important step" but requested the public to remain calm while the investigation is being carried. 

“We understand that the materials released today will be very painful. It will elicit anger, rage, distress, evoke more questions and rightfully so … But nothing is solved with more destruction and harm to our communities, neighborhoods and local businesses in the process," his statement read. He promised that "All of it will ensure that the tragic death of Walter Wallace Jr will not be in vain."

Wallace family attorney Shaka Johnson has argued that the person shown in the footage had “obvious mental health crisis”. “What, other than death, did you intend when you shoot a man, each officer, seven times apiece?” he added. 

Social media users have seconded Johnson's statement by expressing that the police should have used other methods to tackle him. One tweeted, "CW for description of police violence/death. We just watched the Walter Wallace, Jr. police bodycam video and it. is. HORRIFYING. The cops were NOWHERE near him. His mother had just left his side and they went for it. Cold-blooded murder. @PhillyMayor, what do you have to say?" While another added, "I just saw the body cam footage from the MURDER of Walter Wallace Jr. He DID NOT deserve to die. Within less of a minute of when the cops arrived! One of the officers gave the order to shoot him even tho he was more than 12 feet away. 14 times!?"