A former Philadelphia police officer, Edsaul Mendoza, has pleaded guilty to murder in the shooting of a fleeing 12-year-old boy, Thomas 'T.J.' Siderio. The incident occurred in March 2022, with prosecutors stating that Siderio was on the ground and unarmed when the fatal shot was fired by Mendoza.
Mendoza also pleaded guilty to possession of an instrument of crime as part of a plea deal with the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. The sentencing date for Mendoza has not been disclosed at this time.