Philadelphia Police Department/KYW
Edsaul Mendoza pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for his role in the shooting.
CNN
—
A former Philadelphia police officer pleaded guilty Friday to fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in the back in March 2022, according to court documents.
Edsaul Mendoza, 28, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime, according to criminal documents reviewed by CNN. The third-degree murder charge could carry a maximum sentence of 40 years.
Mendoza was initially charged with first-degree murder, but the charges were later dropped.
CNN has reached out to Mendoza's attorney Charles Gibbs for comment.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Mendoza was one of four plainclothes officers who pulled up 12-year-old Thomas “TJ” Siderio and a 17-year-old boy identified as “NK” while they were on patrol. It was one of us.
TJ then “probably” fired at the vehicle, causing a bullet to enter the rear window, Krasner previously told CNN. While the three officers were in hiding, Mendoza conducted “tactically inappropriate” foot chases on the boy, three times even though the boy had dropped the weapon, Krasner said. It is said that shots were fired.
“Justice must be fair. Everyone must be held accountable under the law,” Krasner told CNN on Saturday.
When Mendoza was indicted in 2022, Krasner said the boy was unarmed and on the ground when the officer opened fire.
Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp called the incident a “tragedy” in a statement Friday.
“It's made even worse by the fact that a life was taken by someone who was sworn to uphold the law and protect the community,” Gripp said. “The Philadelphia Police Department's duty is to serve this city with honor and integrity, and the actions of each individual officer are in line with the thousands of dedicated Philadelphia Police Department officers who wear this uniform every day. It does not represent professionalism or dedication.”
The former police officer is scheduled to be sentenced in late July.
Mendoza was fired by City Police Chief Daniel M. Outlaw, who said the shooting violated the department's use-of-force directive, the chief previously announced.
