Ex-officer who fatally shot boy, 12, pleads guilty

A fired Philadelphia police officer pleaded guilty Friday to murder in the shooting of a fleeing 12-year-old boy, who prosecutors have said was on the ground and unarmed when the officer fired the fatal shot.

Edsaul Mendoza also pleaded guilty to possession of an instrument of crime as part of a plea deal with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. A sentencing date has not been disclosed.

Mendoza had been charged with first- and third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of Thomas (T.J.) Siderio in March 2022, with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office saying at the time that video contradicted the officer’s version of events. Police have said the boy had first fired a shot at an unmarked police car, injuring one of four plainclothes officers inside.

Siderio threw a gun down about 12 metres before he was shot and then dropped to the ground, either tripping or obeying a command to get down, according to authorities.

The four officers had been in an unmarked car, looking for a teenager they wanted to interview related to a firearm investigation. They saw Siderio and an unnamed 17-yearold, and manoeuvred the car around the block and next to them to initiate a stop.

Prosecutors said Monday that almost at the same time the officers turned their red and blue lights on, a shot came through the back passenger window and ricocheted around the car.

Mendoza and another officer on the passenger side got out and fired one shot each, according to police. Mendoza then chased Siderio, firing twice and striking the boy once in the back from what prosecutors say was “relatively close range.”