A Philadelphia Police Officer has been charged with murder after shooting a man sitting in his car during a traffic stop last month.
Mark Dial, 27, was charged with murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and official oppression. He turned himself into the authorities on Friday. He was arraigned later that afternoon and posted 10 percent of his $500,000 bail.
During a press conference announcing Dial’s charges, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner played unedited body camera video from the shooting.
“These videos speak for themselves,” Krasner said. “The law and the jury instructions in Pennsylvania, the definitions of these offenses, are supported by this and other evidence. And that is why we have charged ex-officer Dial with these charges.”
Dial is accused of fatally shooting Eddie Irizarry Jr. on Aug. 14. Officers initially claimed that Irizarry lunged at police with a knife. However, days later, the department acknowledged that’s not what happened. Irizarry’s family released security footage that showed Dial shot him just seconds after getting out of his vehicle.
Dial and his partner dragged a bloody Irizarry out of the car and placed him in a police cruiser. The unidentified officer stayed with Irizarry’s car while Dial brought the victim to Temple University Hospital. Irizarry was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to ABC News.
The second officer has not been charged in the shooting.
Dial was initially suspended from the force for 30 days. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said she intended to let Dial go at the end of his suspension.
Dial has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 26.
