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Philadelphia police discover van loaded with propane tanks, torches and possible dynamite sticks on second night of riots

Philadelphia police discover van loaded with propane tanks, torches and possible dynamite sticks on second night of riots 1

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Information is just coming in to Law Enforcement Today about a terrifying discovery in Philadelphia.  Police found a van at Logan Circle Wednesday night loaded with explosives and other suspicious cargo.

According to Action News,  police recovered propane tanks, torches and possible dynamite sticks from the van.

According to police, the bomb squad is investigating – but as of right now there’s no word on who owns the van or if anyone has been arrested.

This discovery comes as Philadelphia and other major cities remain on heightened alert following nights of unrest stemming from the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.

After the first night was filled with riots that left 30 officers injured and several arrested, the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf activated National Guard troops to try to keep the situation calm in the city of Philadelphia.

The state fully anticipates more violence after police in Philadelphia shot and killed a black male who was chasing them with a knife.  Lieutenant Colonel Keith Hickox said that the hundreds of guardsman will be assisting with “protecting life, property and the right to peacefully protest.”

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He added:

“We are able to conduct operations in support of civil authorities to enhance local law enforcement’s ability to provide continued public safety and critical infrastructure security.”

Randy Gyllenhaal noted:

“At the direction of Governor Wolf, and PEMA, the Pennsylvania National Guard is mobilizing several hundred members in support of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management and assist local agencies in protecting life, property and the right to peacefully assemble and protest.

“Assisting civil authorities during times of need is one of our core missions in the National Guard and our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen are well-trained and well-prepared to assist our commonwealth and our communities in any way we can.

“We are able to conduct operations in support of civil authorities to enhance local law enforcement’s ability to provide continued public safety and critical infrastructure security.”

Philadelphia Police also noted that they will be increasing police presence throughout the city.  Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said:

“For today and this evening, we anticipate the chance of additional incidents of civil unrest and, as such, we will be taking additional steps to ensure order.” 

Philadelphia Police will station numerous officers at locations that they anticipate will see civil unrest as a result of the officer involved shooting.  Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said:

“We were hoping that we won’t have any repeat of we’ve seen last night and we’re taking every precaution that we can.”

The incident occurred on October 26, 2020, when officers were called about Walter Wallace, Jr and a possible mental breakdown as he was walking in the area armed with a knife. 

At some point after officers arrived, someone shot video footage which showed the officers backing up continually as a man who appeared to be Wallace refused to stop upon orders and kept advancing on officers.

Officers, after retreating for several moments, opened fire, striking Wallace who went down from his injuries.  Police report that they immediately started rendering medical aid and transported him to the hospital where he sadly succumbed to his injuries.

Current Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, quickly spread the news that alluded that officers were wrong in their use of force, despite apparently being chased by someone with a knife (according to video).  They said:

“Walter Wallace’s life, like too many others’, was a black life that mattered – to his mother, to his family, to his community, to all of us.  At the same time, no amount of anger at the very real injustices in our society excuses violence. 

“Attacking police officers and vandalizing small businesses, which are struggling during a pandemic, does not bend the moral arc of the universe closer to justice.”

It appears, from statements from the Philadelphia Police Department, that the officers involved were wearing body cameras that should have captured the incident.   When those videos will be released is unknown.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said that he hopes that his office will release the video footage soon, but only after he discussed the issue with city leaders and Outlaw.  Krasner did his best to promise the city that his office would remain impartial in their investigation. He said:

“We are not out to cover for anybody.  We are not out to get anybody.”

In the unrest that followed the officer involved shooting, thirty officers were reported injured and several business were damaged in the rampage.  Fox News reports that 10 CVS pharmacies alone suffered damage and that they will all close by 10pm tonight “out of an abundance of caution.”  A spokeswoman for the company said:

“Thankfully, no employees were hurt.  We’re working to repair the damage and will reopen stores as soon as it is safe to do so.”

It’s not the first such scene of anarchy this week.

In Washington D.C., Black Lives Matter protesters took to the streets on Tuesday night and early into Wednesday morning following the death of a 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown who was killed in a crash on Friday night during a police pursuit.

Ian Miles Chong tweeted: 

“Black Lives Matter rioters attacked police vehicles in Washington D.C. on Tuesday night to protest the death of Karon Hylton, who was killed after he collided with a parked car during a police pursuit on his moped.”

The disturbance that triggered the demonstrations was the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown when he was killed by the police. 

The protest Tuesday night turned violent when a group surrounded the front door of the station and a man picked up a metal trash can and smashed the 10-foot-high safety glass windows. Four windows shattered.

Some people picked up rocks and throwing them at MPD cruisers, prompting dozens of more police cars to pour into the area. Six MPD vehicles were damaged and six officers were injured, a statement from police said. The extent of the officer’s injuries is unclear.

The spokesman said:

“The group dispersed from the Fourth District station and proceeded southbound on Georgia Avenue where they set fires, smashed storefront windows, and pulled bricks from sidewalks to be used as projectiles. To stop these individuals, MPD deployed munitions and OC spray.”

One person was arrested and charged with destruction of property and resisting arrest for “riotous behavior” inside the Wal-Mart on Georgia Avenue NW.

At one point, dozens of people were in a standoff with a line of police officers in front of the station. Police formed a perimeter around the station and closed roads. By Wednesday morning, the area was mostly quiet.

Andy Ngo tweeted:

“Rioters in Washington DC throw an explosive mortar at police.”

“BLM Rioters attack police in Washington DC:”

Hylton said:

“The things that happened didn’t have to happen. You know, he was targeted. All this — we wouldn’t have to be out here. You know, if the guy would’ve just left my son alone, all this wouldn’t have happened,” 

Hylton-Brown died the day his daughter turned three months old, said Amaala Jones-Bey, his girlfriend and the infant’s mother.

MPD says officers tried to conduct a traffic stop at about 10:10 p.m. Friday after they saw Hylton-Brown riding a Revel electric scooter in the 500 blocks of Kennedy Street NW without a helmet. Allegedly, he was riding on a sidewalk when they tried to pull him over. They say Hylton-Brown went through an alley and “collided” with a car in the 700 block of Kennedy Street. 

Officers performed first aid on Hylton-Brown and medics took him to a hospital, where he died Monday. 

Home security video appears to show Hylton-Brown riding down the street near 7th and Kennedy streets with police in pursuit. Then he returns to the sidewalk as police continue pursuing him.

Police officers in the District are not allowed to pursue vehicles involved in traffic infractions.

Hylton-Brown’s family and girlfriend say police are responsible for the crash. They want more information and want to see body camera footage.

According to NBC4Washington, Charles Brown, Hylton-Brown’s father, said:

He didn’t deserve to die like that. He did not deserve to die like that out here.”

D.C. police say they are working with the family and the Department of Behavioral Health in regards to the release of any footage.

Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice Roger Mitchell said in an emailed statement to NBC4Washington: 

“We are engaged directly with the next of kin about their ability to view the body-worn camera footage. We are coordinating with the Department of Behavioral Health to provide the family with space and trauma-informed support they need to view the body-worn camera footage.”

Hylton-Brown’s father says he has seen the police body-worn camera but declined to publicly discuss specifics. Brown called for Bowser to get with Black officers and for Black officers to hold white officers accountable.

Brown said: 

“They need to check their other officers. When they’re doing something that’s messed up out here, they ain’t got to do it out on the street so we can see it. When they get back to the precinct right here, they need to tell them, ‘Hey, yo man, look, that was messed up what you did out here.’”

D.C. police classified Hylton-Brown’s death as a traffic fatality.

ChuckModi tweeted:

“Mother, family & friends of Karon Hylton cover windows of the police car with pictures of Karon for Officer to see. #DCProtests”

Police said they had observed Hylton-Brown, who was operating an electric moped on a sidewalk without a helmet on Friday night.

Police said in a statement:

“Officers activated their emergency lights and attempted to make a traffic stop. When the moped exited an alley in the 700 block of Kennedy Street, NW, the moped collided with a passenger vehicle that was traveling on Kennedy Street. Officers performed first aid until DC Fire and EMS transported the operator of the Moped to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.”

Black Lives Matter DC tweeted:

“We need all hands on deck @MayorBowser and @ChiefNewsham terror gang is literally at war with community 4D police station. They shooting teargas and rubber bullets @charlesallen #WeKeepUsSafe #BlackLivesMatter @wusa9 @fox5dc @nbcwashington”

Initially what was a peaceful protest turned into widespread looting. Black Lives Matter activists called upon protesters to storm the 4th District Metropolitan Police precinct following the announcement, with a call for “all hands on deck” at one of the precincts, where Hylton-Brown’s mother was captured berating police officers.

Chuck Modi tweeted: 

“‘Officer Sutton Come Out’

Mother of #KaronHylton demands to speak to MPD police #DCProtests”

Soze tweeted: 

“Karon mom just watched the video of what happened to son..and walked out of 4th district and was pepper spray by police #KaronHylton”

ChuckModi tweeted:

“You’re defending a building. I’m defending my son! Mother of #KaronHylton #DCProtests”

Hylton, other family members, and community members gathered to protest outside the 4th District Tuesday night. Hylton demanded to be let into the station and said she wanted to see the officer who she said: “killed her son.”

She said: 

“I miss my baby. That’s my baby. You understand?” 

Shomari Stone tweeted: 

“EXCLUSIVE: I interviewed Karon Hylton-Brown’s mother moments ago. She reacts to new surveillance video that appears to show DC Police chasing her son for allegedly not wearing a helmet on a scooter. She blames police for causing son’s death @nbcwashington”

Police backed protesters away from the station, News4’s Shomari Stone reported.

Some protesters threw rocks, bricks, and fireworks at police, while many remained peaceful.

Police returned with percussion grenades and flashbangs as they moved protesters blocks away from the station.

Police said there were arrests Wednesday night and several officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but they didn’t have the exact number of arrests or injured officers. 

Ian Miles Cheong tweeted: 

“A Walgreens got looted in D.C.”

The scene outside the 4th District station was calmer by 11 p.m. Wednesday.

–

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