Akron man pleads guilty to killing 1-year-old boy in 2020

AKRON, Ohio — Phillip Mendoza, an Akron man who pleaded guilty to killing a 1-year-old boy, has learned his fate.

After pleading guilty on Tuesday, Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Alison McCarty sentenced Mendoza to 15-20.5 years in prison. Mendoza must serve at least 15 years of his sentence.

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Mendoza pleaded guilty to the following charges in connection with the 2020 death of Tyree Halsell: 

• 1 count of conspiracy to commit murder with a gun specification
• 3 counts of felonious assault with gun specifications 

CASE DETAILS

The shooting happened on Aug. 2, 2020, at a home on 5th Avenue in Akron. Seven people were home at the time of the shooting, three of whom were struck, including Tyree. 

The two other victims survived the shooting after suffering non-life-threatening injuries. 

After an investigation that lasted nearly two-and-a-half years, Akron police arrested Mendoza for his role in the shooting. 

RELATED: Akron: Man arrested for 2020 shooting that killed 1-year-old, injured two adults

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