PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As parents walked their kids home from school on a bright and sunny Wednesday afternoon, many were left explaining what happened in their South Philly neighborhood the night before.
Neighbors in the community say they have a lot of questions after a 12-year-old boy was fatally shot by police Tuesday night. Authorities say he was carrying a semi-automatic handgun with a laser pointer, which he allegedly used to fire into an unmarked police car, injuring one officer in plainclothes.
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Two other officers chased after him and another teen, firing twice. The 12-year-old was shot in the back and died.
The child was identified as Thomas Siderio. He was a seventh-grader at Sharswood School, about a mile and a half away from where his life was cut short. He was reported missing by his guardian at least a couple of times in the past year.
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“I mean, we’re at the park right here, kids are playing in the playground. People walking are out here all the time,” said Carl P., who has lived in the neighborhood near 18th and Barbara streets for about 20 years.
He and others describe it as family-oriented, and this incident is unnerving.
“Somehow this kid got a gun,” he said. “Maybe we need to focus on where the guns are coming from. If they’re coming from people’s houses, hold them accountable, if you own it. If they’re coming from other sources, find out who they are and put the efforts toward making sure you clamp those things down.”
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Another resident, who wished to remain unnamed, has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 30 years. She agreed that the root of the issue is guns, and parents need to be more responsible for their children.
“It upsets me all the time with these young kids getting guns. How are they getting these guns? Where are they coming from?” she wondered.
One of the police officers was injured by shattered glass and is recovering. The two officers who fired at the teens are on desk duty until the outcome of the investigation.