Verdict Reached In Philly Cop's Fatal Shooting Of Man

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia jury reached a verdict in the case against a former police officer who fatally shot a man in 2023.

The jury Thursday convicted former Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Dial of voluntary manslaughter, possession of an instrument of crime, and related offenses for his role in the death of Eddie Irizarry, which happened on Aug. 14, 2023.

Dial will be sentenced July 17.

"I want to thank Assistant District Attorneys Karima Yelverton and Clarke Beljean for their dedication and commitment to seeking justice for the family of Eddie Irizarry," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said. "I also want to thank the Philadelphia Police Department’s Officer Involved Shooting Unit for their comprehensive and solid investigation of this police-involved shooting death in collaboration with our team. Lastly, I want to thank the jury for their service throughout this criminal justice proceeding."

The shooting occurred at about 12:28 p.m. on the 100 block of East Willard Street.

Video from the scene showed Irizarry sitting in the front seat of a vehicle when Dial opened fire on him.

That footage clearly refutes the initial account police gave of the shooting, which was that Irizarry, who emigrated from Puerto Rico eight years ago and has lived in Philadelphia since, was outside the vehicle and lunged at officers while armed with a knife when he was shot.

Police later recanted that story, saying Irizarry was seated in a Toyota Corolla when he was fatally shot.

According to police, the incident began when officers tried to stop a Toyota Corolla on B Street near Westmoreland after seeing the vehicle drive erratically.

The vehicle turned on Westmoreland, then left onto Lee Street, and finally left onto Willard Street heading against traffic, police said.

Eventually, the vehicle pulled into a parking spot in the middle of the block.

The two officers who were in a marked patrol vehicle got out and approached the Corolla.

Video showed the officers get out of the SUV, both with guns drawn.

Dial went up to the driver's side, and the other to the passenger's side, with one officer trying to open the passenger door, police said.

That officer told Dial that the driver, later identified as Irizarry, had a weapon, police said.One is heard shouting "show me your hands" and "He's got a f***ing knife" in the new video.Also heard on the video were "don't move" and "I'll f***ing shoot you" as Dial is seen running up to the driver's side window.

Irizarry did not speak English.

Irizarry, police said, turned toward Dial, and that's when Dial shot six times into the vehicle through the rolled up driver's side window and windshield, fatally striking Irizarry.

The video shows the officers shot Irizarry within 10 seconds of getting out of their patrol vehicle.

Dial and the other officer are seen in the video pulling Irizarry from the vehicle and putting him into their vehicle before driving off.

Irizarry was taken to Temple Hospital, where he was pronounced at 12:48 p.m.

Police said they found two knives in the Corolla.

Both officers had their body cameras on during the incident.