A critical police encounter in Pocatello, Idaho has left a 17-year-old autistic teenager fighting for his life.
According to The Daily Crime, Victor Perez, who has autism and cerebral palsy, was shot multiple times by police officers after allegedly wielding a knife during a disturbance call on Saturday, April 5.
The incident unfolded at 5:22 p.m. when authorities received a 911 call about a man "brandishing a knife" who appeared to be "under the influence" in a backyard on North Harrison Avenue. Officers arrived within three minutes to find a male on the ground holding what they described as a large knife, with two women nearby and another man outside the fence.
Rapid escalation leads to tragic outcome
Police Chief Roger Schei stated that officers positioned outside the yard repeatedly commanded the teenager to drop the knife. When Perez allegedly stood up and moved toward the officers while still armed, four officers opened fire. The entire confrontation lasted merely 12 seconds from the moment officers exited their vehicles.
Brad Andres, who recorded the incident, expressed deep distress over how quickly the situation escalated. His 19-year-old son, Bridger, had made the initial 911 call, hoping to help resolve the situation peacefully.
Andres shared his perspective on the police response:
They never once asked, 'What is the situation, how can we help?' They ran up with their guns drawn, they triggered a mentally disabled person to react and when he reacted … they shot him. This was really traumatic for me to watch, for me and my son to be a part of. My son was the one that called the 911 with the hopes of helping the family deal with the situation that was going on. He had no idea that what was going to transpire.
Critical medical battle unfolds
The teenager's condition remains dire as he fights for survival at a local hospital. According to his aunt, Ana Vazquez, doctors removed nine bullets from his body and were forced to amputate his leg.
Medical professionals are currently monitoring Perez's brain function while he remains in a coma and on ventilator support. His family has firmly stated they will not "unplug him" regardless of potential brain damage.
The severity of his injuries has prompted three surgeries since the shooting, with his condition still listed as critical as of Tuesday, April 8.
Community response and ongoing investigations
The shooting has ignited significant community response, with over 4,000 people signing a Change.org petition demanding a thorough investigation into the incident. A GoFundMe campaign has also gained traction, raising $11,000 to support the family's mounting medical expenses.
The Pocatello Police Department has initiated both an internal investigation and enlisted the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force to conduct an independent review of the shooting.
Chief Schei defended his officers' actions, stating:
In situations like this, officers must make decisions in seconds. They assess threats, not just to themselves, but to those nearby. In this case, two individuals were within a few feet of an armed, non-compliant individual. The risk was immediate and the situation, rapidly evolving.
Current status and future developments
The shooting of Victor Perez, a nonverbal teenager with autism and cerebral palsy, has become a focal point of discussion regarding police response to situations involving disabled individuals. The incident occurred when officers responded to a disturbance call in Pocatello, Idaho, resulting in multiple gunshot wounds and the amputation of the teen's leg. As multiple investigations proceed and the community rallies behind the family, Perez remains in critical condition, with his aunt revealing uncertainty about whether he will regain consciousness.
