On April 7, 2025, a 17-year-old autistic teenager named Victor Perez was shot nine times by police in Pocatello, Idaho. This left him in critical condition with a leg amputated. His chances of survival are uncertain. The incident occurred during Autism Awareness Month. This has caused widespread anger. It has also raised urgent questions about how police handle situations involving people with disabilities.
What Happened?
Police responded to a 911 call about a “domestic disturbance.” A neighbor reported a teen with a knife chasing people in a backyard. The caller thought the teen was drunk, but his family later explained Victor has autism, cerebral palsy, and cannot speak. His disabilities cause him to walk unsteadily, which might have been mistaken for intoxication 4910.
When officers arrived, they ran to a chain-link fence separating them from Victor, who was sitting on the ground. Security footage shows Victor standing up and stumbling toward the officers with a kitchen knife. Within 12–20 seconds of exiting their cars, four officers fired multiple shots through the fence, hitting him nine times 3916. His sister screamed that he was “special,” but it’s unclear if police heard her.
Why Are People Upset?
- Speed of the Shooting: Critics say police didn’t try to de-escalate. They did not use non-lethal tools like Tasers or pepper spray. Department policy requires officers to carry them.
- Victor’s Disabilities: His family says he couldn’t understand commands due to his autism and intellectual disability. They’d never called police for help before, highlighting a lack of prior interaction with law enforcement.
- Autism Awareness Month Timing: The shooting occurred during a month meant to promote understanding of autism. This timing made the tragedy feel even more painful to advocates.
Social Media Reacts
Online, people are sharing the witness video and demanding change. Many comments focus on police training gaps:
- “Why shoot so fast? They need better training for disabilities!”.
- “This is why cops should learn how autism affects behavior,” wrote one user.
- Protesters outside the police station said, “We can’t trust them after this”.
Police Response
Pocatello’s police chief defended the officers, saying they faced an “immediate threat” because two people were near Victor. He also noted the viral video shows “only one angle” and urged patience during the investigation. However, experts like former officer Seth Stoughton questioned why police didn’t create space between themselves and Victor instead of shooting. Sir, THERE WAS A WHOLE GATE AND YARD SEPARATING THEM!!!
What’s Next?
Victor remains hospitalized with severe injuries, including possible brain damage. An independent task force is investigating, and over 500 people have signed a petition demanding accountability. Meanwhile, advocates stress the need for better police training to recognize disabilities and use calm strategies.
Final Thoughts
This heartbreaking incident underscores a harsh reality: police often aren’t prepared to interact with autistic or disabled individuals. During Autism Awareness Month, many are asking—how can we prevent this from happening again? Training, community outreach, and policies that prioritize de-escalation could be a start. For now, Victor’s family and supporters wait for answers—and hope he survives.
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