'Don't shoot my son' Woman said she pleaded with police not to kill him

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- The mother of Walter Wallace Jr. said Tuesday that she pleaded with police officers before they shot and killed her son.

"I was telling police to stop. Don't shoot my son, please don't shoot my son," Catherine Wallace said Tuesday night.

Wallace Jr., 27, a Black man who police say was armed with a knife, was killed Monday after police fired more than a dozen shots in West Philadelphia around 3:50 p.m.

"They paid me no mind, and shot my son," she said.

Wallace Jr.'s parents say their son suffered from mental health issues and that police had been called to the home earlier in the day before it turned deadly.

The father of Walter Wallace Jr. said no parent should ever experience what his family has gone through. "I will need help," he said.

"I can't even sleep at night. Every time I close my eyes I got flashbacks of multiple shots," said Walter Wallace Sr.

Many are left wondering if this shooting could have been avoided.

READ MORE: Dozens of people arrested, 30 police officers injured as tensions erupt in West Philly following fatal police-involved shooting

The Philadelphia Police Department will increase its presence across the city Tuesday in anticipation of further displays of civil unrest in response to the shooting death of Walter Wallace.

"How do you feel to make the 911 call to get help for your son and the end result is murder?" said Wallace Jr.'s cousin, Anthony Fitzhugh.

"You could have pulled out a taser. You could have shot him in the leg," said resident Jada Hilton.

RAW VIDEO: Video shows officers yelling 'put the knife down' before fatal shooting

Video shows officers yelling 'put the knife down' before fatal shooting of Walter Wallace on October 26, 2020.

The man's death sparked both protests and looting for a second night on Tuesday.

"Burning down people's businesses, looting, stealing -- that's not the answer. That's not the solution," said Fitzhugh.

WATCH: Neighbors, business owners frustrated after night of unrest in West Philadelphia

Neighbors, business owners frustrated after night of unrest in West Philadelphia

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw has promised a full and comprehensive investigation.

The department is completing a threat assessment on whether to release the names of the officers involved. Outlaw said the names would be released as long as that does not put the officers' safety at risk.