The Philadelphia officer who shot and killed a 12-year-old boy as he fled from police this month will be fired for the use of excessive force, the city's police commissioner said Tuesday, USA Today reports. Police said the plainclothes officer, who has not been identified, fatally shot 12-year-old Thomas Siderio in the back on March 1, moments after a bullet was fired into an unmarked police car. A police investigation determined the officer violated use of force directives, said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. She said evidence suggests Siderio fired the bullet into the police car, which is disputed by an attorney representing Siderio's father.
Outlaw had previously said "a young child with a gun in their hand purposely fired a weapon at our officers." There is no body camera footage of the incident because plainsclothes officers are not required to wear them, said Deputy Commissioner Ben Naish. Police are trying to gather surveillance footage from the area. All four officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave during the investigation, Outlaw said. Police have not released their names, citing safety concerns. The Philadelphia District Attorney's office expects more developments this week, but did not say whether charges would be filed against any of the officers.