Victor Perez , a 17-year-old nonverbal autistic teen with cerebral palsy who was shot nine times by police in Pocatello, Idaho, has died after being removed from life support, his family confirmed on Saturday.
The teenager had been in a coma since the April 5 incident and was declared clinically brain dead on Friday, according to news agency Associated Press.
Perez’s aunt, Ana Vazquez, said that the teen underwent several surgeries after the shooting, including the removal of nine bullets and an amputation of one leg, but doctors ultimately found no brain activity.
The shooting occurred after police responded to a 911 call reporting that an “intoxicated man” was chasing people with a knife. The man turned out to be Victor, who was not intoxicated but staggered due to his disabilities.
According to his family, he had found a kitchen knife during a family gathering and relatives were trying to take it from him.
As per NBC News, officers arrived at the home and opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol vehicles.
A video recorded by a neighbor shows Victor lying in the yard before attempting to stand and stumbling toward officers while holding the knife. A chain-link fence separated him from the police when they began shooting.
“Everybody was trying to tell the police, no, no,” said Vazquez. “Those four officers didn’t care. They didn’t ask what was happening, what was the situation”, she added.
“How’s he going to jump the fence when he can barely walk?” she further asked.
Victor’s death has sparked outrage across the Pocatello community, with protests already underway and a vigil held Saturday morning outside the hospital where he was treated.
Pocatello Police chief Roger Schei said the officers issued commands for Victor to drop the knife and described the situation as one where “officers had to make a split-second decision.”
However, the rapid escalation and use of lethal force without apparent de-escalation efforts have drawn widespread criticism.
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad released a statement expressing condolences, stating, “We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused in our community.” He also emphasized that “criminal, external, and internal investigations” are underway and that the city is treating the matter with “the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves”.
The Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is conducting the external review, and Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson confirmed that once the investigation is complete, the report will be reviewed by an agency outside the county to ensure objectivity.
The four officers involved remain on administrative leave. Their names have not been released.
Victor’s family and advocates are now calling for justice and a broader re-examination of police response tactics involving individuals with disabilities.
The teenager had been in a coma since the April 5 incident and was declared clinically brain dead on Friday, according to news agency Associated Press.
Perez’s aunt, Ana Vazquez, said that the teen underwent several surgeries after the shooting, including the removal of nine bullets and an amputation of one leg, but doctors ultimately found no brain activity.
The shooting occurred after police responded to a 911 call reporting that an “intoxicated man” was chasing people with a knife. The man turned out to be Victor, who was not intoxicated but staggered due to his disabilities.
According to his family, he had found a kitchen knife during a family gathering and relatives were trying to take it from him.
As per NBC News, officers arrived at the home and opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol vehicles.
A video recorded by a neighbor shows Victor lying in the yard before attempting to stand and stumbling toward officers while holding the knife. A chain-link fence separated him from the police when they began shooting.
“Everybody was trying to tell the police, no, no,” said Vazquez. “Those four officers didn’t care. They didn’t ask what was happening, what was the situation”, she added.
“How’s he going to jump the fence when he can barely walk?” she further asked.
Victor’s death has sparked outrage across the Pocatello community, with protests already underway and a vigil held Saturday morning outside the hospital where he was treated.
Pocatello Police chief Roger Schei said the officers issued commands for Victor to drop the knife and described the situation as one where “officers had to make a split-second decision.”
However, the rapid escalation and use of lethal force without apparent de-escalation efforts have drawn widespread criticism.
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad released a statement expressing condolences, stating, “We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused in our community.” He also emphasized that “criminal, external, and internal investigations” are underway and that the city is treating the matter with “the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves”.
The Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is conducting the external review, and Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson confirmed that once the investigation is complete, the report will be reviewed by an agency outside the county to ensure objectivity.
The four officers involved remain on administrative leave. Their names have not been released.
Victor’s family and advocates are now calling for justice and a broader re-examination of police response tactics involving individuals with disabilities.
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