17-Year-Old Victor Perez, Autistic Teen, Shot Nine Times by Police in Pocatello, Idaho: Family Seeks Justice and Accountability for Tragic Shooting
Pocatello, Idaho – A 17-year-old boy with autism, Victor Perez, is currently in critical condition after being shot nine times by Pocatello police officers. The tragic incident unfolded on the evening of Saturday, [Date], when Victor, who has the cognitive abilities of a 5-year-old, was experiencing a behavioral episode in his backyard. The family believes that Victor, who was clearly in distress, required assistance and compassion, not violence. He has undergone three surgeries and lost his left leg as a result of the wounds inflicted during the shooting. His family is devastated, both by the physical trauma Victor has endured and by the way law enforcement responded to the situation.
The Perez family is demanding justice and accountability from the police officers involved in the shooting. They argue that the police’s actions were both excessive and irresponsible, and they believe that their son was treated with aggression and disregard instead of being given the understanding and help he needed. The Perez family also highlights the larger issue at hand — how law enforcement handles situations involving people with disabilities, particularly those with autism and other cognitive impairments.
The Incident: How it Unfolded
The events leading to the shooting began around 5:20 p.m. on that Saturday when Brad Andres, who owns a nearby auto shop, stepped outside to take a phone call. From his vantage point, he noticed a disturbance taking place in a backyard close to his business. His son, Bridger, also observed the situation and immediately dialed 911. The caller reported a domestic disturbance in which a young man — later identified as Victor Perez — was reportedly intoxicated and carrying a kitchen knife while chasing a man and a woman in the yard. The 911 dispatcher received further information that Victor was possibly injured, having stabbed himself, and appeared to be falling to the ground.
The caller mentioned that the people involved were speaking a language other than English, but the dispatcher did not make note of the possibility that Victor may be in a vulnerable state. This detail about Victor’s potential disability was not communicated clearly, and no interpreters were involved to help bridge any communication gaps.
Minutes later, police officers arrived at the scene at approximately 5:25 p.m. Four officers immediately ran toward the yard, with three pulling out handguns and one aiming what appeared to be a shotgun at Victor. At that moment, Victor was still on the ground. He had been struggling with the episode and was not fully responsive to verbal commands. Despite this, the officers ordered him to drop the knife. According to witnesses, Victor stood up and began to walk toward the officers with the knife still in his hand.
This was when the situation escalated. Without taking time to assess the situation and evaluate Victor’s mental state, the officers immediately opened fire. Multiple gunshots rang out, and Victor was struck with nine bullets. He collapsed to the ground, severely injured, and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent three surgeries to save his life. His left leg was amputated due to the extent of the injuries.
Eyewitness Accounts: A Disturbing Response
Brad Andres, who witnessed the entire incident, has expressed his disbelief and frustration with the police response. “They didn’t even try to de-escalate the situation,” Andres said. “Instead of asking, ‘How can we help?’ they ran toward Victor with their guns drawn and started shooting. It looked like a firing squad. The officers seemed more interested in ending the situation violently than helping the young man.”
Andres, who filmed parts of the aftermath, added that there was no attempt by the officers to understand the situation or to communicate with Victor in a calm, compassionate manner. Instead of realizing that Victor was a mentally disabled teen who needed assistance, the officers treated him like a threat. Andres believes that the police’s actions were directly responsible for the tragic outcome, saying, “They triggered a mentally disabled person
