Philadelphia shooting victim Walter Wallace Jr’s widow gives birth to a baby girl after he was gunned down by cops
THE widow of Walter Wallace Jr – who was shot dead by officers in Philadelphia – has given birth to a healthy baby girl, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
Dominique Wallace has named her newborn I’shyna and shared a photograph on her embracing her daughter wrapped in a blanket, writing on her Instagram Story: “She made my day.”
The new mom, who married Walter on October 2, added the heartbreaking message: “She looks just like her dad but she not gon experience bein a daddy’s girl [sic].”
Speaking after the birth, his cousin Anthony Fitzhugh told the Bucks County Courier Times: “Walt was a father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, husband and a twin.
“Now, his twin will have to celebrate her birthday alone because of this unnecessary shooting.”
Wallace, who reportedly had mental health issues and was on medication, was seen in disturbing footage holding a knife chasing after two officers on October 27.
He was gunned down while his family say his mother, Catherine, was trying to diffuse the situation after they called for an ambulance.
She is heard screaming “no” in the video while throwing an object at the officers.
“You really had to give him that many f***ing shots?”, the man who filmed the incident can be heard saying to the cops.
Wallace was taken to a nearby hospital with multiple injuries where he was pronounced dead.
The tragedy has resulted in civil unrest throughout the city.
Two officers each fired at least seven rounds – 14 total shots – but Chief Police Inspector Frank Vanore could not say how many times Wallace, 27, was struck.
Wallace’s distraught father, Walter Wallace Sr, told The Philadelphia Inquirer: “His mother was trying to diffuse the situation. Then you’re going to shoot him down like he’s a mother f***ing animal.”
Walter’s cousin Anthony added that he suffered from mental illness and acted “out of character” when he didn’t take his medication.
“He’s not the monster that everybody is trying to paint the picture of him being,” he said.
“When he took his medicine, he was great. Walt loved people and he showed his love every chance he got.”
A local resident told the Inquirer that Wallace’s mom had chased after him, begging officers not to shoot her son.
Mark Halloway told the newspaper: “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.'”
Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney, Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and District Attorney Larry Krasner all confirmed the shooting is being probed amid protests.
“I don’t want to leave a bad scar on my son and my family with this vandalism and chaos,” Walter’s father also said.
“I ask everyone to have respect for our family and to pray for us. Cut it out. Looting is a mindset and it’s not going to bring my son back.
“It’s going to escalate things to make them worse rather than better.”
His widow, Dominique, is now set to receive more than $160,000 in donations from supporters after her best friend, Whitney Mallory, set up a Go Fund Me account for financial help.
She wrote on the site: “Hello all, on 10/26/2020 a young man life was ended due to the police killing him.
“He was a 27 year old man named WALTER WALLACE JR. Not only was he a son, he was a father to a host of kids, have a Daughter that’s due any day now and a newlywed to my best friend DOM on 10/02/2020!.
“I am asking you to help her as she faces the lost of her husband still have to mentally and physically be here for her children along with welcoming a new baby girl in this sad world…..
“No donation is to small and is forever grateful for what is received a prayer, a listening ear etc….. thank you all! [sic]”
Most read in News
Whitney shared the page on her Facebook and when asked by a friend how Dominique is doing, she replied this week: “So far she’s holding up the best way possible, just continue to pray for her strength and the birth of they baby girl.”
The Sun has reached out to Dominique and Walter’s family for comment.