Family of teen fatally shot by police during street racing chaos calls for transparent investigation
The shooting happened on Interstate 95 after police responded to a large street race that had the highway shut down.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Pennsylvania state police have provided additional information about the moments leading up to a deadly trooper-involved shooting of an 18-year-old during a street racing incident over the weekend, while the teen's family says the truth has yet to come out.
Captain Gerard B. McShea said during a news conference on Monday that officers were dispatched to I-95 in the area of Penn's Landing just before 3:30 a.m. Sunday for numerous vehicles and pedestrians blocking the roadway.
Upon arrival, troopers found a large group of cars blocking lanes of the highway while doing "burnouts" and "drifting," with a number of pedestrians spectating.
McShea said troopers observed a black Audi S4 parked on the shoulder of I-95 with its license plate completely obscured.
Four people approached the vehicle and got into it, he said.
As officials attempted to make contact with the driver, two troopers say they were struck by the vehicle when it failed to yield.
One of the troopers discharged his service pistol and struck the driver, who was later identified as 18-year-old Anthony Allegrini Jr. of Glen Mills, Delaware County.
Allegrini was pronounced dead at the scene.
The troopers who were struck sustained minor injuries, according to officials.
Troopers said they had been in contact with Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management throughout the evening starting a little before midnight, keeping them informed of what was going on along city streets
Investigators said earlier in the night, 300 cars gathered at Bustleton and Philmont avenues in the city's Bustleton section around 1 a.m. Sunday.
One of the drivers struck a responding police vehicle, authorities say.
In North Philadelphia, video showed a man wielding a flame thrower as a car drifts in the middle of Broad Street.
"Dozens of individuals in the crowd started throwing objects at the vehicles including bricks," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw.
Officials have issued a stark warning for people who engage in these types of activities.
"This is not over. There are mountains in mountains of evidence to go through, and we are going to use that evidence to make sure you are held accountable," Outlaw said.
'We're expecting a full transparent investigation'
The Allegrini family stood by their attorney, Enrique Latoison, who spoke to members of the media Monday evening.
"This message that's currently coming out right now, it's not telling the full story of who Anthony Allegrini is," said Latoison, the managing partner and founder of Latoison Law.
He says Allegrini was just a spectator and was not involved with the lawlessness happening in the city.
"This was not somebody that was involved with doing donuts in the middle of Philadelphia. He was not involved with blocking I-95. He was a spectator in this event," said Latoison, who is calling for a full and transparent investigation.
"We need to see that investigation, see those videos, those dashcams. We need to see all of that stuff. We want to be a part of the process and expect to be a part of that process," added Latoison.
Police say Allegrini was shot after he allegedly struck two state troopers on the highway while inside an Audi. But Latoison says that does not match up to the type of person Allegrini was.
"The reputation Anthony has is one to respect the authority. He is a person that was respectful to his elders, respectful to his community, and to his teachers," said Latoison.
"I just want justice for all of this."
Anthony Allegrini Jr.'s girlfriend, Reagan Hocking, says she knew something was wrong when the teen didn't return home on Saturday night.
She and Allegrini Jr.'s parents say they drove out to the scene early Sunday morning after the shooting took place.
"His car was there. His body was still laying on the ground, covered with a tarp," said Hocking.
Video of the scene shows one bullet hole on the windshield of a car involved.
"Mainly I'm very hurt, I'm also just angry," added Hocking. "Anger comes from a place of hurt. I just want justice for all of this."
"I just really want to get this out. I want to get people talking about it," she continued. "Because it's not fair. I want the truth to come because I know who Ant was. He was a good kid. He did not deserve any of this. He would never hurt not even a fly."
Hocking, describes her boyfriend as having the "most kind, loving soul." She said he was a friend to everyone.
"He had so many friends. Even if you didn't know him, if you saw him at a Wawa, he would talk to you. He was just so kind and caring," Hocking said.
In the aftermath of the chaos, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 John McNesby condemned the ongoing violence of the city.
"We have to get this year, this summer, under control and we need to do it quick," he said.
McNesby pointed to low staffing as the number one problem for Philadelphia police.
"Bottom line here is right now there's not enough officers in the City of Philadelphia. And that's not even an exaggeration, we have the lowest amount we've ever had in the history of Philadelphia," said McNesby.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney also released a statement on Twitter regarding the incident, saying, "This type of reckless and aggressive behavior cannot and will not be tolerated. Dangerous actions like these put everyone in our city at risk, especially our officers who work hard to keep our residents safe. This is unacceptable."
Pennsylvania State Police and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office are still investigating this case.
Officials also reminded Philadelphia residents that street racing remains illegal in the city.
