Walter Wallace shooting: Philadelphia cops fatally shoot black man armed with knife

Cops fatally shot an armed 27-year-old black man in Philadelphia Monday afternoon — sparking tension at the scene.

Police officers responded to the scene on Locust St. shortly before 4 p.m. where they encountered a man with a knife, a department spokesman told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

They told the man to drop the knife but he refused, prompting two officers to shoot, according to the outlet.

Officials identified the victim as Walter Wallace, who was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center where he died.

Dozens of residents marched through the streets to protest Wallace’s death Monday night.

Walter Wallace Sr. said his son was shot 10 times, adding that he was mentally ill and also a young father.

“Why didn’t they use a taser?” the distraught father told the outlet. “His mother was trying to diffuse the situation. Then you’re going to shoot him down like he’s a mother f—ing animal.”

A video posted to Twitter shows angry bystanders yelling at the police and multiple shell casings on the street.

Another video posted by a bystander shows Wallace walking towards the officers while they’re drawing their guns at him.

Witnesses told the Inquirer the man was carrying a knife but didn’t lunge at the officers.

Resident Mark Halloway said Wallace’s mother chased after him and begged cops not to shoot.

“I’m yelling, ‘put down the gun, put down the gun,’ and everyone is saying, ‘don’t shoot him, he’s gonna put it down, we know him,’” he told the outlet.

The officers’ names were not released. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said an investigation is underway.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said he spoke with Wallace’s family.

“My prayers are with the family and friends of Walter Wallace,” he said in a statement. “ I look forward to a speedy and transparent resolution for the sake of Mr. Wallace, his family, the officers, and for Philadelphia.”