Autistic Teen Shot by Idaho Police Dies \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Victor Perez, a 17-year-old nonverbal autistic teen with cerebral palsy, died after being shot by Idaho police. Officers fired within seconds of arriving, as video shows Perez stumbling behind a fence with a knife. His death has sparked protests, an investigation, and widespread grief across the Pocatello community.
Quick Looks
- Victor Perez, 17, died after being removed from life support following a police shooting.
- Perez, autistic and nonverbal with cerebral palsy, was holding a kitchen knife when shot.
- Officers in Pocatello, Idaho, opened fire 12 seconds after arrival without visible de-escalation.
- Video shows Perez stumbling behind a chain-link fence before shots were fired.
- His family and community say the police overreacted and ignored pleas to hold fire.
- About 200 gathered for a vigil; more protested at City Hall with signs demanding justice.
- Officers involved are on administrative leave pending an independent investigation.
- Mayor Blad and the city expressed condolences and urged patience with the process.
- Perez’s family described him as gentle, loving, and attentive to small details.
- An autopsy is scheduled; his aunt says the family needs time to grieve.
Deep Look
Victor Perez, a 17-year-old autistic and nonverbal teenager with cerebral palsy, died on Saturday after being taken off life support, following a police shooting that has shaken the city of Pocatello, Idaho, and sparked a growing outcry from the community. His family confirmed the heartbreaking decision after doctors found no signs of brain activity stemming from the April 5 incident, during which Perez was shot multiple times by police while holding a kitchen knife.
The teenager had been in a coma since the shooting, and over the course of his brief hospital stay, he underwent several critical surgeries. Surgeons removed nine bullets from his body, and due to the severity of his injuries, his leg was amputated. Despite their efforts, medical professionals informed the family that Perez had suffered irreversible brain damage, prompting the decision to end life support.
According to Ana Vazquez, Victor’s aunt and a spokesperson for the grieving family, the events unfolded in a matter of seconds—too fast for any meaningful communication or de-escalation. Police were called to the scene by a 911 report that described an allegedly intoxicated man wielding a knife and chasing someone in a backyard. The individual, however, was not intoxicated. It was Victor—disabled, autistic, and exhibiting a staggered walk due to his cerebral palsy. His family had been attempting to calm him down and remove the kitchen knife from his hands when officers arrived.
A video recorded by a nearby resident captured the tragic sequence. The footage shows Victor lying on the ground, having fallen in the yard. Four police officers are seen approaching the chain-link fence that separated them from the teen. From the moment they exited their patrol cars, the officers began shouting for Perez to drop the weapon. When the boy stood up and began moving slowly—stumbling toward the fence—officers opened fire. This happened within roughly 12 seconds of their arrival. No warning shots. No conversation with family. No attempt at negotiation or to understand the situation.
“There was no effort to de-escalate,” Vazquez said. “We were all yelling, ‘No, no!’ But they didn’t ask questions. They didn’t even try to see what was going on. They just fired.”
She went on to express disbelief at the perceived threat Victor posed. “He could barely walk. How was he supposed to jump a fence?” she asked.
The shooting has led to widespread anger in the community and deep emotional scars for the Perez family. On Saturday morning, a vigil was held outside the hospital where Victor had been receiving care. Roughly 200 people attended, standing in solidarity with the family and mourning the loss of a young man described as gentle, observant, and full of personality.
Later that day, protesters gathered outside Pocatello City Hall, which also houses the police department. Many carried signs demanding justice and accountability, with messages like “Do better, PPD” and “Justice for Victor.” Police snipers were spotted on a nearby rooftop during the protest—a detail that has further fueled tension and criticism—but the demonstration remained peaceful.
While the police department did not immediately respond to media inquiries, it was confirmed that all four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. Their identities have not yet been released to the public.
Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson noted in a statement that the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Team is handling the investigation. Once completed, their findings will be reviewed by an independent agency outside Bannock County, a move aimed at ensuring impartiality in the decision-making process regarding potential charges.
Mayor Brian Blad also weighed in with a public statement, acknowledging the pain and loss suffered by the community. “We recognize the pain and grief this incident has caused,” he said, adding that city officials are approaching the matter with seriousness and sensitivity. However, he emphasized that the city is limited in what it can disclose due to ongoing criminal, internal, and external investigations.
In the meantime, Victor’s family is grappling with an unimaginable loss. His aunt described him as someone who found joy in the smallest details. He adored professional wrestling, never passed up French fries, and loved going for walks while holding his mother’s hand. He especially enjoyed when his aunt painted her nails in his favorite color—blue—or changed her hairstyle. He would touch her hair admiringly, noticing every detail.
“I’m going to miss those moments when he would get in his weird little moods,” Vazquez shared, choking back emotion. “I’d tuck him into bed, and he’d get back up. I’d have to walk him back, tell him, ‘I’ll be back tomorrow, but you have to sleep now.’”
Now, she says, she doesn’t know what the next day will bring. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, but for the moment, the family just wants to take a breath and rest. The trauma of losing Victor, and the way it happened, has left them broken.
“There’s no way to describe this pain,” Vazquez said. “It’s like our hearts aren’t full anymore.”
The case continues to raise critical questions about how police interact with disabled individuals, especially those with communication challenges. Advocates are calling for greater training, accountability, and a reimagining of crisis response methods that prioritize de-escalation, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations like Victor Perez.
Autistic Teen Shot Autistic Teen Shot
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