The community of Pocatello, Idaho, was left in shock after a family incident involving a nonverbal, autistic, and physically disabled teenager culminated in a fatal police shooting.
Around 5:22 p.m. on April 5, officers were called to respond to a 911 report of a man wielding a knife and chasing someone in a yard. The individual in question was later identified as 17-year-old Victor Perez.
Family members clarified that Perez was not under the influence of alcohol but had an unsteady gait due to his disabilities. His aunt, Ana Vazquez, characterized him as having the cognitive abilities of a young child, around five years old, and highlighted his difficulties in walking.
When officers arrived at the scene, Perez was on the ground holding a large kitchen knife. Despite family members attempting to explain his condition and shouting for police not to shoot, officers reportedly ordered him to drop the knife.
Instead, Perez stood up and began stumbling toward them with the knife in hand. Although separated by a 4-foot chain-link fence, officers opened fire within 12 seconds of arriving at the scene, shooting Perez nine times.
CBS news reports that Perez underwent multiple surgeries to remove the bullets from his body and had one leg amputated in an attempt to save his life. Tests later revealed no brain activity.
On April 12, his family made the heartbreaking decision to remove him from life support.
The incident has sparked outrage among family members and the community, with questions concerning why officers did not attempt to de-escalate the situation or use non-lethal methods. Video footage showed officers drawing their weapons upon arrival, without apparent efforts to assess the situation or create distance between themselves and Perez.
Ana Vázquez expressed her grief and frustration, stating, “Those four officers didn’t care. They didn’t ask what was happening or what the situation was.”
She also questioned how Perez could have posed a threat given his physical limitations,
“How’s he going to jump the fence when he can barely walk?”
The Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo via Shutterstock]
