A former Philadelphia police officer, Mark Dial, aged 27, surrendered himself on Friday and faced arraignment on charges including murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and simple assault for the tragic incident on August 14th when he shot and killed motorist Eddie Irizarry while Irizarry sat in his car in the Kensington suburb.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, in response to Irizarry's family's request, released unedited bodycam footage of the "extremely violent" fatal shooting. The footage revealed Mr. Dial firing six shots through his car window.
Irizarry was unresponsive as an officer pulled him from the driver's seat and placed him in the back of a patrol car, as depicted in the videos.
"These body-worn camera videos will be presented as evidence, likely at both the preliminary hearing and the trial," stated Mr. Krasner during a press conference. "They are critical pieces of evidence in the case and, in many ways, they tell the story on their own."
At his Friday afternoon arraignment, Mr. Dial's bail was established at $500,000, and he did not enter a plea.
Mr. Dial's attorney, Fortunato Perri, conveyed their intent to vigorously defend him against the charges, stating, "Despite what has been portrayed in the media, the facts will undeniably demonstrate that Officer Mark Dial was legally justified in discharging his weapon as he feared for his life."
Initially, Mr. Dial and his partner claimed that Irizarry, aged 27, had lunged at him with a knife after being pulled over for erratic driving. However, the officer altered his account after bodycam and Ring camera footage contradicted his narrative.
The released footage captured Mr. Dial approaching Irizarry's vehicle with his weapon drawn while Irizarry remained in the driver's seat.
In the video, Mr. Dial can be heard shouting, "I will f***ing shoot you!" just before he opens fire through the car window, striking Irizarry multiple times. He then orders the fatally wounded Philadelphia man to "get your hands up now."
Following the shooting, Mr. Dial transported Irizarry to Temple University Hospital. In the bodycam footage, a doctor can be heard asking the police officer if Irizarry showed any signs of life or breathing. Mr. Dial's response was, "Barely."
Tragically, Irizarry was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
According to prosecutors, Irizarry was observed holding a small, open folding knife against his thigh, after which he rolled up the driver's side window.
Mr. Krasner emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Firing six consecutive shots at close range at a vital part of the body of a person under the law is strongly supportive, together with other evidence, of all of these charges."
Last month, the Philadelphia Police Department terminated Mr. Dial from his position in the aftermath of the incident.
In another news, a man has been arrested for beating his girlfriends toddler to death. See detailed story here
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