An ex-Philadelphia police officer is said to have shot a 12-year-old child in the back. The boy died as a result.
26-year-old Edsaul Mendoza was terminated after the shooting of Thomas “TJ” Siderio, Jr. He has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and possessing an instrument of crime.
On March 1, four plainclothes officers were in an unmarked vehicle keeping surveillance. This involved social media posts that entailed a stolen gun.
The officers had said that they saw two young males, one being Siderio. They added that one of them was holding a gun as they rode their bikes in the wrong direction.
Officers drove in the direction of the two males. They stopped and then turned on the red and blue emergency lights on the unmarked car.
Police say that the officers then heard gunshots and glass breaking from the back passenger window.
One of the officers suffered injuries as glass went into his face and eyes.
Authorities say that Siderio fired the gun.
Two of the officers then exited the vehicle, ran after, and shot at Siderio. A bullet went in through his back and came out of the left part of his chest. Siderio was taken to a medical facility where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Reports indicate that Mendoza fired three shots, two of them missed. It still isn’t known if the victim was aware that it was officers going after him. This is because officers had on street clothes and plain vests.
DA Larry Krasner says that Mendoza walked over to Siderio without taking precautions after the shooting. He believes that doesn’t align with Mendoza telling investigators that he thought Siderio was armed. Documents state that Siderio was about 10 feet away from Mendoza before he was shot the last time.
To add, Mendoza is said to have told another officer that Siderio had already thrown the gun.
“But he fired a shot through his back nonetheless, killing him,” Krasner added. He also said that unreleased video shows much of what occurred.
On Sunday, Mendoza surrendered to authorities and didn’t receive bail.
