In the wake of widespread rioting and looting that swept across Philadelphia in late September, District Attorney Larry Krasner has issued a stern warning to those involved.
He cautioned against generalizing the alleged perpetrators and pledged to pursue legal action on an individual basis.
In a conversation with Fox News during a crime summit at St. Joseph's University, Krasner stated, "We're going to prosecute people in an even-handed way. We're not going to let any judge, who thinks there is a caste system, and some people get better treatment than others, ... disturb the peace of this city."
Krasner further clarified his stance on the looters, stating that his office would "look carefully to see whether this is a one-off situation and they're fundamentally law-abiding people ... or whether they are criminals, and they're all about taking advantage of some sort of unrest for their own benefit."
Depending on the nature of the suspects, Krasner promised to "hold them accountable one way" or ensure they are "prosecuted another way." The riot, which led to the arrest of over 60 individuals, was triggered by the dismissal of charges against a Philadelphia police officer accused of killing Eddie Irizarry in August.
The situation rapidly deteriorated as looters targeted Apple, Lululemon, and Foot Locker stores, stealing thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and causing significant property damage.
Among those apprehended was Kenneth Frye, a 24-year-old previously charged with third-degree murder for the killing of a gay man in 2022 and was out on bail at the time of the riot. Dayjia Blackwell, also known as "Meatball," was also arrested after she was caught live-streaming the disorder, repeatedly chanting "Everybody must eat, everybody must eat, everybody must eat" as looters infiltrated a liquor store that had already been broken into.
Krasner's approach to crime, often perceived as lenient, has drawn criticism, leading to his impeachment by Pennsylvania Republicans last year.
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