Former Philadelphia police officer Edsaul Mendoza knew Thomas « T.J. » Siderio, 12, was unarmed when he shot him in the back and killed him, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner …
Former Philadelphia police officer Edsaul Mendoza knew Thomas « T.J. » Siderio,12, was unarmed when he shot him in the back and killed him, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said as he announced murder charges against Mendoza on Monday. Police said Siderio had fired at a car carrying four officers before running away on March 1 — but Krasner said Mendoza, who chased Siderio on foot, knew the boy had thrown his weapon away before he shot him. Siderio was on the ground at the time, Krasner said. « It is certain that Thomas Siderio, at the time he was shot, had stopped running and that he was possibly surrendering, » Krasner said. « It is certain that Thomas Siderio, at the time he was shot, was essentially face down on the sidewalk, that he was in a position that approximates sort of a pushup. Turning back toward where the officer was pursuing him, perhaps turning to look at the officer who was pursuing him, when he was shot through the back. » A Taurus 9mm pistol was recovered about 40 feet from Siderio’s body, Krasner said.
