Lancaster ‘riots’ rage over vid of moment knife-wielding Ricardo Munoz is shot dead by cops after charging at them
VIOLENT “riots” have erupted after footage was released of the moment a knife-wielding man was shot dead by cops after charging at them.
Police in Lancaster, Pennsylvania released the video on Sunday, and protests erupted as people became outraged over the footage.
Police added that demonstrators threw items including bricks, water bottles, glass bottles, gallon jugs of liquid, and parts of plastic road barricades at cops.
Photos showed windows smashed out at a police station and the post office.
Several police cars also had windows smashed, WGAL reported.
Amid demonstrations, a dumpster was also lit on fire, reported.
At least four people were arrested, Lancaster Online reported.
The Blaze journalist Elijah Schaffer of a store with its windows smashed out, as he reported merchandise was stolen.
“This office fully supports the right to gather and peacefully protest, however, the riotous behavior exhibited last night is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams said in a statement.
“Such lawless conduct only takes away from those working with the community to address issues worthy of discussion.
"It's devastating for everybody involved. It's devastating for our police department, the families and our community," Berkihiser said.
Body camera footage to a call of a man "reportedly becoming aggressive with his mother" as he tried "to break into her house," police said in a statement.
As news of Munoz's death emerged, it resurfaced that last year, he was arrested on four counts of aggravated assault in connection with an alleged stabbing.
Munoz, then 25, was found holding a knife to his throat when police arrived at the site of the March 2019 incident, reported.
The Sunday video, roughly a minute long, shows the encounter just before 4:30pm on Sunday.
Police said they responded to a call about a "domestic" incident.
A woman was seen exiting the home, as the officer told her to "get back."
Seconds later, a man was seen running out of the home and charge toward the officer as he turned around and ran.
The officer turned back around to face the man, as he fired a weapon.
A woman was heard screaming in the background.
The man was seen lying on the ground.
Police shared a grab at the end of the footage that appeared to show the man with an object in his right hand as he ran toward the officer.
In a statement, police said video showed a 27-year-old man leave a home, and begin "chasing the officer."
"Preliminary information and body worn camera footage indicates that the male subject had a knife in his right hand as he was chasing the officer," police said.
"The officer fired several shots from his firearm, striking the subject."
"The subject, identified as 27 year old Lancaster man, did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene," the police statement added.
Police said the cop was the only one on-scene at the time. Other officers responded later.
Police said: "The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office was contacted immediately and is now conducting an investigation into the officer-involved shooting."
The District Attorney's office confirmed they have reviewed the body camera footage and are investigating the incidents.
";We have reviewed body cam footage which shows man ran at @LancasterPolice while brandishing a knife above his head. Our investigation is ongoing," Lancaster DA said on social media.
Officials have asked anyone with information to contact the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office at (717) 299-8100 or Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913, or to contact Crime Stoppers at by texting LANCS plus the message to 847411.
Munoz's body lay on the ground for hours before being removed and taken away in a coroner's van, Lancaster Online reported.
As video of the incident was shared, public outrage erupted and demonstrations escalated across the city.
Video showed cops using tear gas to break up demonstrations.
Cops said in a statement that more than 100 demonstrators gathered outside the police station on Sunday.
Police said protesters "locked arms in a line," and cops warned if they did not move from a ramp, "that chemical munitions would be deployed."
"The group failed to follow the instructions and chemical agents were used to disperse the crowd," police said.
"OC spray was also deployed at protestors that refused to move from the ramp and were physically challenging Officers that were moving to clear people from the ramp," police said.
The DA said on Monday: "We are not aware of any serious injuries sustained during the riots, and we wish to commend the law-enforcement officials who acted professionally in protecting the lives of those in potential danger."
Late Sunday night, the City of Lancaster shared a statement from Mayor Danene Sorace.
"This has been a heartbreaking day for our city," Sorace said.
"I grieve for the loss of life and know that there are more questions to be answered as the investigation continues," she added.
Sorace said in a statement that the officer involved in the shooting was placed on leave.