Former Philadelphia police officer Edsaul Mendoza, who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Thomas “T.J.” Siderio, was sentenced to 8 to 20 years in prison.

Mendoza, who was fired shortly after the 2022 incident, expressed sorrow and regret before sentencing.

Initially charged with first- and third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter, he accepted a plea deal in April.

Prosecutors revealed that Siderio was unarmed and on the ground when Mendoza shot him in the back, despite the boy having previously fired at an unmarked police car, injuring an officer.

Surveillance footage contradicted Mendoza’s account of the events, CNN has reported.

The incident occurred while officers, investigating a firearm case, attempted to stop Siderio and another teenager.

Written by B.C. Begley