A Philadelphia man has been slapped with a federal indictment for allegedly torching a local pharmacy amid the unrest of May 2020, authorities said Wednesday. Tyrone Wise, 34, is facing arson charges for the blaze that ripped through a SunRay Drugs Pharmacy in West Philadelphia, causing severe damage to the business and residential units above.
According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the indictment claims that Wise, acting on the night of violent protests and chaos throughout Philadelphia and beyond, set fire to the building located at the intersection of Ludlow and 60th Streets. The incident occurred on May 31, 2020, during a time when the country grappled with both peaceful demonstrations and illegal activities.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Jacqueline C. Romero, announced the charge. In a statement, Romero emphasized that, if convicted, Wise could face a statutory minimum of five years in prison, with the possibility of up to 20 years behind bars, in addition to other sanctions. The statement makes no mention of a trial date.
This indictment comes as part of a collaborative probe involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department. The case will land before Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Jayne, who in the wake of the fires and looting in Philadelphia has taken a hard line on arson related to civil unrest.
While Wise has been criminally charged, it is important to remember that in the American justice system, an indictment does not equate to guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The upcoming court proceedings will determine whether Wise's acts on May 31 were indeed criminal or if another narrative altogether might emerge through his defense.
