In an alarming incident in Idaho, officers of the Pocatello Police Department discharged their weapons within seconds of arriving on the scene, critically injuring a 17-year-old boy identified as Victor Perez. The teenager, who is nonverbal, autistic, intellectually disabled, and has cerebral palsy, was shot as he moved towards the officers with a knife, according to a video recorded by a bystander.
Victor Perez was hospitalized in a critical condition and underwent surgery to remove nine bullets. Tragically, he also lost his leg, as shared by his aunt, Ana Vazquez. Doctors are currently performing tests to evaluate his brain activity, and his potential recovery remains uncertain. The devastating shooting on Saturday drew outrage from the boy’s family, local community, and observers on social media, who questioned the rapid decision of the officers to fire their weapons. Within approximately 12 seconds of exiting their vehicles, the officers opened fire without any apparent attempt to defuse the situation or consider less lethal alternatives. A protest ensued outside the police department on Sunday.
There is no evidence to suggest the officers were aware of Perez’s disabilities. Vazquez criticized the police response, stating, “The police barely spoke to anyone. They just said get back and they just, they shot to kill.” In response to the public backlash, Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei addressed the issue in a video statement, expressing understanding of the public’s concerns and acknowledging that a more comprehensive picture of the incident is necessary. He noted the existence of circulating video footage but emphasized that it only presents a partial view of the event.
The incident unfolded after Brad Andres, who owns a nearby auto shop, observed a commotion while outside on a phone call around 5:20 PM. His son, Bridger Andres, called 911 to report a domestic disturbance involving a person with a knife. Audio from the 911 call released by the police captured the description of Perez as intoxicated, brandishing a knife and occasionally chasing individuals in the yard. The caller also described Perez as seemingly drunk and noted that the people involved were speaking another language.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police encountered Perez on the ground. Officers advanced to a fence, with some pointing handguns while another wielded a shotgun. Despite their commands to drop the weapon, Perez stood up and advanced towards them, prompting the officers to fire multiple shots. Andres described the officers as acting like a firing squad, stating that their immediate aggressive posture escalated the situation for the mentally disabled boy.
Questions regarding the officers’ response remain, with Chief Schei indicating an ongoing investigation by the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force. He highlighted the necessity for officers to make split-second decisions concerning immediate threats, given the close proximity of potential victims at the scene. The police department did not specify if officers were equipped with non-lethal options, such as Tasers, during the incident. The department’s policy requires uniformed officers trained in Tasers to carry them, along with additional non-lethal tools like batons or pepper spray.
Vazquez insisted that Perez, who moved unsteadily due to his conditions, was sober, and that his sister attempted to alert the officers to his special needs. However, it is unclear if these pleas were heard given the video evidence available. Seth Stoughton, a former officer and current law academic, raised concerns about the lack of de-escalation tactics or use of non-lethal weapons by the police, stating that the officers did not appear to be in immediate danger when the shooting occurred.
Addressing broader issues, police departments are increasingly training officers to recognize and properly engage with individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, including autism. These programs emphasize understanding typical responses from individuals on the autism spectrum that may otherwise be misinterpreted as non-compliance. Some initiatives advocate for awareness tools, such as stickers or distinct license plates, to alert officers of potential interactions with autistic individuals.
Pocatello, a city of nearly 60,000 people located about 165 miles north of Salt Lake City, grapples with the consequences of this tragic incident as the investigation continues.