Philadelphia police change account of officer-involved shooting that left man dead in Kensington
Family members identified the man as 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police officials have released further information regarding a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place Monday in the city's Kensington section.
On Monday, police said 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry was outside the car when he was killed after lunging at police with a knife. Now top brass says he was fatally shot while inside his car.
"At the time we gave that information, that was the best information that we had available. And we always strive to clarify and update that information as quickly and accurately as possible, that's what we're doing here today," said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw during a press conference Wednesday.
Irizarry's family is calling for the body-worn camera footage to be released to the public.
"The story changes, and it's going to keep changing. They're going to keep changing it. But, we're going to get to the bottom of this. We're going to show that they were wrong," said Irizarry's aunt, Zoraida Garcia.
According to police, two officers were in full uniform and operating a marked police car in the area of B Street near Westmoreland Street when they observed a Toyota Corolla with a Pennsylvania registration tag driving erratically around 12:28 p.m.
Authorities only refer to the officers involved in the incident as "Officer 1," and his partner, "Officer A."
Outlaw said Officer A went over the police radio and asked if there were any priority assignments involving a Toyota sedan.
The officers followed the vehicle as it turned on Westmoreland Street, then left onto Lee Street, and finally left onto Willard Street.
Officials say at that point, the Toyota continued the wrong way down East Willard Street, which is one-way.
The vehicle pulled into a parking spot mid-block, at which point police say Officer 1 and Officer A got out of their patrol car.
When asked if the officers turned on the squad car lights and sirens, police said that was still under investigation.
Authorities said Officer A, who was driving the patrol car, approached the Toyota's passenger side window. Officer 1 approached the driver's side window.
Officer A attempted to open the passenger side door and as he did so, Officer 1 was approaching the driver's side door.
Police say Officer A alerted Officer 1 that the man inside the Toyota, Irizarry, had a weapon.
As Irizarry turned to Officer 1, officials say the officer discharged his firearm multiple times into the vehicle, fatally wounding him in the car.
Irizarry was transported to Temple University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Family members later identified Irizarry as the victim in this incident.
Officials say two knives were observed inside the vehicle, which was towed to a police garage.
The knives were described as a "kitchen-style knife" and a "serrated folding knife."
Police would not say if either knife was in Irizarry's hand when he was fatally shot.
Both officers wore body cameras during the incident.
"We're still combing through body-worn camera footage. We're still attempting to identify witnesses and we have not yet interviewed the discharging officer. Once we get a clearer picture I will be able to say with certainty and make a determination whether or not they operated within policy of the department," said Outlaw.
"He's schizophrenic at that. That's all in the paperwork. He was reaching for his wallet when the officer shot him. Not once or twice, but five or six times," said Garcia.
Action News asked Garcia about the knife police said Irizarry had in his possession. She said it was common for him to have one.
"He always did carry a little pocket knife, but it's not nothing big," said Garcia.
She also said he didn't understand English very well.
Officer 1 is a five-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is assigned to the 24th District. Officials say he was placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs and Officer Involved Shooting Investigations.
Investigators also noted that Officer A did not discharge a firearm during the incident.
Vigil Held for Eddie Irizarry
Not long after police released the new information on Irizarry's death, family and friends gathered for a vigil in his honor on Wednesday night.
It took place in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood, where Irizarry was shot and killed.
At the event, family members continued to express their frustration over the conflicting stories of what happened.
"I want answers. I have not viewed my nephew, I have not seen him, my brother has not seen him," said Garcia.
Family members also say Philadelphia police have not reached out to them. They are still searching for answers.
"He was shot six times. That's for you to kill somebody when you shoot that many times. If he didn't do anything, there's no reason for you to do that," said the victim's sister, Maria Irizarry.
"We want the officers to come forward and speak the truth about what really happened," added Irizarry's cousin.
Balloons were released at the vigil as attendees consoled one another. There were also photographs of Irizarry and candles lit throughout the event.
