Share this @internewscast.com

A Philadelphia police officer who was fired for fatally shooting a 12-year-old unarmed boy in the back has been charged with murder.

A grand jury charged Edsaul Mendoza with first-degree murder, third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and possessing an instrument of crime in the March 1 killing of Thomas “TJ” Siderio, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said at a news conference Monday.

Mendoza surrendered on Sunday night, according to court records, and was jailed without bail.

Four plainclothes officers, including Mendoza, were in an unmarked car in South Philadelphia when they pulled up to TJ and a 17-year-old. The district attorney’s office said the four officers gave inconsistent explanations for the stop, though Krasner said one reason given was because the youths were riding their bicycles the wrong way.

TJ “likely” fired a shot at the police car about the same time officers activated the police lights, the district attorney said. Mendoza got out of the car and began a “tactically unsound” foot chase for TJ, firing a total of three shots, Krasner said. The third bullet hit TJ in the back and exited through his chest.

Krasner said the shooting was captured on video viewed by grand jurors that shows Mendoza firing the last shot after the boy was “effectively face-down” after either diving or falling to the ground. Mendoza was “half a car length away” — just a few feet — when he fired the fatal shot, the DA said.

“I find this very disturbing and very difficult to watch,” Krasner said of the video, which still hasn’t been released to the public.

A gun the prosecutor said TJ used to fire at the police car was found about 40 feet from his body, which means he was unarmed when Mendoza shot him. TJ disposed of the firearm before Mendoza fired the last two shots, according to the district attorney.

Mendoza appeared to know that TJ was unarmed before he shot the boy, Krasner said. The video shows the officer running toward TJ without fear of being shot, Krasner said, and also shows Mendoza indicating to a fellow officer where the boy tossed the weapon.

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw fired Mendoza about a week after the killing, saying his conduct violated department policy.

The department has refused to confirm the identities of the other officers involved, citing credible threats to them. Krasner said he has no information about such threats.

Source: huffpost

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Gainesville Parking Dispute Leads to Arrest After Man Allegedly Smashes Car Windows

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A dispute over a parking spot turned…

Shocking Drive-Thru Dispute: Wendy’s Manager Allegedly Shoots Customer Over Chicken Order

Inset: Terrence R. Phillips (Clay County Jail). Background: Wendy”s in Kansas City,…

Justice Sought: Answers Emerge for Families of Officers in Dezi Freeman Case

The long-awaited closure for the families of two police officers, allegedly killed…

Teen Fatally Shot After Mustang Driver Engages in Road Rage Incident, Police Report

Inset, top to bottom: Roman Valenciano (GoFundMe) and Cecilio Lopez (Metropolitan Detention…

Physician Faces Imprisonment Following Fatal Circumcision Error: Police Report

Garden Grove Medical Plaza in Irvine, California, where a doctor”s botched circumcision…

Teen Accused of Fatal Attack on Grandmother’s Fiancé: Boiling Oil and Stabbing Incident Under Investigation

Share A teenager in New York is facing serious charges after allegedly…

Mother Sentenced to Prison for Forcing Daughter to Live in Shed and Neglecting Child’s Death

Insets, top to bottom: Sophia Mason and Samantha Johnson (Merced County District…

Police: Mother Attempts to Conceal Son’s Severe Burns with Unusual Cover-Up

Share An Ohio mother is facing serious charges after authorities allege she…

Tragic Encounter: Husband Fatally Attacks Wife in Front of Family Witness

An Iowa resident confessed to fatally stabbing his wife in January, revealing…

Unraveling the Mystery: The Incredible Survival Story of Dezi Freeman

The conclusion of a seven-month probe into Dezi Freeman’s demise still leaves…

Judge to Decide Fate of Stepfather in Case of 11-Year-Old Forced to Give Birth Without Medical Assistance

Inset Dustin J. Walker (Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The home where…

Mother Arrested Following Birth of Baby with Severe Heart and Vision Issues: A Heartbreaking Case Unfolds

Rose Smith (Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office). An Idaho woman is now facing…