Police ID suspect in snowball slaying

The man charged with killing a 15-year-old in Feltonville after the teen accidentally threw a snowball in his face Sunday morning is now considered one of the city's most dangerous fugitives.

Jose Mendez, 24, whose last known address was in the 3000 block of Waters Street, has been eluding police and likely planning to leave the area if he has not already fled, said Chief of Detectives Keith Sadler during a morning press conference.

"We have reason to believe he may try to flee the area, so it's very important that we get the information out," Sadler said, displaying a wanted poster of the Mendez.

Sadler said Mendez is originally from Puerto Rico, but has lived at numerous addresses in the city.

Mendez is accused of shooting Teven Rutledge in the head while he sat on the steps of a friend's house in the 4800 block of Avenue D where the teen had earlier been throwing snowballs at friends.

Rutledge, who lived in Olney and battled attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder, died Monday at Temple University Hospital as authorities were intensely searching for the gunman.

Police said Rutledge threw a snowball that accidentally hit Mendez and Mendez allegedly warned he would return with a gun. Minutes later, police said, he leveled a semi-automatic at the teen.

Sadler asked anyone with information about Mendez to contact police at 215-686-8477 and warned that he should be considered dangerous and armed.

Said Sadler: "If he used it [the gun] once, certainly we can expect that he might use it again."