More than a week after an officer-involved shooting in Pocatello, Idaho, the teenage victim has died. Police arrived at the family’s home around 5:20 p.m. on April 5 after reports of a domestic disturbance. Witness video shows multiple officers asking Victor Perez, 17, who had physical and developmental disabilities, to drop the kitchen knife in his hand. When he refused and moved toward the police, officers shot him multiple times to disarm him. Following several surgeries, including an amputation, Perez died.
Perez’s aunt, Ana Vazquez, told the Associated Press doctors removed nine bullets from Perez’s body following the shooting and amputated one of his legs. Vazquez said police responded to a 911 call about a man who appeared intoxicated, but Perez had not had any alcohol. His walk appeared impaired due to a staggered gait from his disabilities.
Vazquez told AP that family members attempted to take the knife from Perez and pleaded with police not to shoot.
“Everybody was trying to tell the police, no, no,” she said. “Those four officers didn’t care. They didn’t ask what was happening, what was the situation.”
“How’s he going to jump the fence when he can barely walk?” Vazquez asked.
Following multiple days in a coma, Perez’s family and doctors made the difficult decision to remove him from life support. He died on April 12.
“Those police broke our family,” Vasquez said following Perez’s death. “There is no way to explain the pain that we are feeling right now. It’s like our hearts are kind of empty — it’s not full anymore.”
Per the East Idaho News, the day after the shooting, dozens of protestors gathered at the Pocatello Police Department. They had signs that read “Bloody Hands, Dirty Cowards,” “Do Better PPD,” “Hold PPD accountable,” and “What are Tasers for?”
The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, and there will be an independent investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Team, Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson told AP in an email. This team will determine whether charges will be filed against the officers.
“When that investigation is complete a report will be submitted for review,” he said. “In a continued effort to ensure independent and objective consideration, said report will be reviewed by an agency outside of Bannock County.”
During a news conference on April 7, Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei said police attempted life-saving measures on Perez. Ultimately, emergency crews transported him to an area hospital.
“We know this incident has deeply affected the community. We are also aware of the video circulating online, which shows only one angle. The full picture requires careful review of all facts and evidence,” he said during the news conference.
Perez’s family created a GoFundMe that’s raised more than $43,000 so far.
A parent of an autistic child wrote: “I have an adult son with Autism. This could easily have been him. This is not okay! Police need to be trained and equipped with skills necessary to interact with people living with mental illness, autism or any other disorder that is out of one’s control. I am so saddened for your family’s loss. For his sister who had to witness this unfair tragedy while trying to help her brother. My heart is breaking for all of you!”
