The Citizens Police Oversight Commission has demanded that Philadelphia Officer Mark Dial be fired due to his involvement in Eddie Irizarry’s fatal shooting.
Following a careful review of all the available information, the oversight commission recommended in a statement released on Tuesday that the Philadelphia Police Department terminate Officer Dial’s employment.
The statement from the commission also emphasized how many queries and worries the neighborhood had in relation to the fatal shooting. It also brought to light the specific grief caused by the false information the Philadelphia Police Department initially disseminated about the incident.
Officer Mark Dial: Who is he?
Policeman Mark Dial works in Philadelphia. Eddie Irizarry, 27, was fatally shot by a Philadelphia Police officer this week in North Philadelphia, according to the three law enforcement sources who are aware of the ongoing investigation. That officer’s name is Dial. Five years have passed since Officer Dial joined the police force.
On Monday, around 12:30 p.m., Officer Mark Dial and an unnamed partner were out on patrol in the 24th Police District. Eddie Irizarry was allegedly found by detectives “driving erratically” in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of B and Westmoreland Streets.
Dial and his partner retaliated by pursuing Irizarry’s gold Toyota Corolla for a few blocks in their marked police car. The argument reportedly got worse when Irizarry parked his car in the 100 block of East Willard Street after taking the wrong turn.
The officers then pulled up to their cruiser and exited. Officer Dial’s partner, who was ostensibly driving the cruiser, approached the front passenger side of Irizarry’s car and made an attempt to open the door. Officer Dial allegedly approached Irizarry simultaneously from the front driver’s side, according to the police report.
Officer Dial’s coworker shouted during this exchange that Irizarry “had a weapon.” Irizarry was still seated in the front seat when Officer Dial retaliated by firing several shots into the car, hitting him multiple times.
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