Philadelphia’s Center City was plunged into chaos on Tuesday evening as large groups, primarily composed of young people, engaged in widespread looting, leaving several stores ransacked and a security guard assaulted.

A roving mob looted multiple stores throughout Center City, including the Foot Locker and Apple Store near 15th and Chestnut. In addition to the looting, a security guard at the Foot Locker store was reportedly assaulted.

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The looters were seen carrying large plastic bags, which they filled with stolen merchandise from the stores. Multiple arrests have been made in connection with these incidents.

It’s important to note that the looting was unrelated to earlier peaceful demonstrations held over the dismissal of charges in the death of Eddie Irizarry. Philadelphia Police commanders have confirmed this separation.

The day had started with a Philadelphia judge dismissing charges against former police officer Mark Dial in the shooting death of 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry. Dial had been facing first-degree murder charges for a shooting that occurred during a traffic stop last month in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood. Irizarry’s family and supporters vowed to continue their fight for justice despite the dismissal of charges.

As the city grapples with the fallout from this controversial decision, the incidents of looting added another layer of complexity to the ongoing situation in Philadelphia.

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The looting, which targeted a range of retail stores including Lululemon, the Apple Store, and Footlocker, drew a massive police presence to the affected areas. Videos and images posted on social media platforms depicted the extent of the damage, with looters ransacking stores and leaving behind stolen Apple products after realizing their anti-theft technology rendered them inoperative.

The situation also escalated in other parts of the city, with reports of looting at stores like GameStop and Walmart in North Philadelphia. A Family Dollar store in West Philadelphia appeared to have been similarly targeted.