Philadelphia is burning. Some say it’s worse in the City of Brotherly Love the last three nights than during any of the Black Lives Matter and Antifa reigns of terror on streets across America. Stores are being looted. Police are being overrun. Now, it appears that these domestic terrorists are ready to up their game.

Action News 6 ABC in Philadelphia is reporting that explosives were found by law enforcement last night.

An investigation is underway in Philadelphia after police find explosives and other suspicious cargo inside a van at Logan Circle on Wednesday night. Action News has learned that police recovered propane tanks, torches and possible dynamite sticks from the van. The bomb squad is on the scene at this hour. The discovery comes as the city is on heightened alert following nights of unrest stemming anger over the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr.

During a virtual press conference Wednesday, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw discussed the latest on the investigation, the use of police force and the recent unrest in the city.

“As I said yesterday, this investigation has many moving parts and we are working hard to ensure that a fair and thorough investigation takes place. We plan on releasing premise history audio of 911 calls and body cam footage of the discharging officers in the near future,” said Outlaw.

City officials say at least 200 businesses, many of them already struggling in the midst of the pandemic, were the targets of massive looting across the city. To assist police, an undetermined number of Pennsylvania National Guard troops will soon be arriving in the city.

“Their role first and foremost will be to safeguard property and prevent looting,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.

Officials announced that what started out as a peaceful protest of about 1,000 people at Malcolm X Park Tuesday night turned very violent against police. Police say bricks and even blood was thrown at officers.  Twenty-three officers were injured which raised questions on whether or not they are allowed to use pepper spray or tear gas when they are under attack.

“Officers still have the discretion to use the OC that they carry on them,” said Outlaw.

But when it comes to using tear gas on large groups?

“Obviously I make those decisions,” said Outlaw.

The police union called for the release of the police body cam footage which they say will show that Walter Wallace Jr. failed to drop the knife as he was ordered repeatedly to do and instead lunged at officers with it.

“We’re calling on the city leadership to release the facts of this case, it’s not hard, it’s cut and dry. Release what you have,” said Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 President John McNesby.

Commissioner Outlaw says they want the Wallace family to get the facts first.

“We will be meeting with members of Mr. Wallace’s family, to ensure they get an opportunity to view the materials first,” said Outlaw.

Questions have been raised as to why at least 2,000 officers, including those involved in the shooting, are not equipped or trained in the use of Tasers? Current funding for police only provides for 200 additional Tasers a year.

“It’s the issue of resources, we can try to find grants and other things from other government, but we have a lot of needs and less money that we have,” said Mayor Kenney.

There’s a lot to unpack in this story. First and foremost, if reports of explosives that were intended to be used by Antifa and Black Lives Matter “peaceful protesters” in Philadelphia are true, then this is the escalating many have been expecting for a while. Our EIC said they would eventually turn to explosives all the way back in June, saying it would likely happen before or during the election.

Second, why are there so many restrictions on law enforcement? In situations like this in which the city is essentially a war zone, they need to be equipped with everything they can to stop this, including tear gas.

Lastly, the focus on Tasers by mainstream media and leftists is laughable. Most people do not seem to understand the efficacy or lack thereof when Tasers are used against those with lethal weapons and a will to use them. We’ve seen so many reports just over the last couple of months where Tasers were proven to be ineffective against a determined assailant.

It is long past time to take Antifa and Black Lives Matter domestic terrorists seriously. If the next phase of their plan includes explosives, we should not wait around until they blow something up. We need to act now.