PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw says an officer violated the department’s use of force directive in the shooting that left 12-year-old Thomas Siderio dead near 18th and Barbara streets last week.
That officer - who has only been identified by police as ‘Officer #1’ due to threats - will be suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss, Outlaw announced during a briefing Tuesday afternoon. "I have made the decision to utilize Commissioner’s Direct Action to suspend Officer #1 with the intent to dismiss the officer at the end of 30 days due to violations of our use of force directive," Outlaw said.
Investigators say four plain-clothed officers assigned to the South Task Force were in the area in an unmarked car as part of an ongoing investigation.Authorities have said the officers saw Siderio and a 17-year-old boy on the corner of 18th and Barbara and recognized one of them as someone wanted for questioning in another investigation.
Thomas 'TJ" Siderio, 12, died Tuesday after he was shot by police. Police say the officers opened fire after their unmarked vehicle as struck by gunfire. (Photo provided by family) Police say the officers were approaching the boys and activated their emergency lights when they heard gunfire and a bullet shattered the rear passenger window and came to a stop in the passenger headrest.