Tragic Funeral for Idaho Teen with Autism Fatally Shot by Police in His Own Yard: Community Mourns and Seeks Justice

A funeral for Victor Perez, a 17-year-old boy with autism, will take place on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Pocatello, Idaho. His aunt, Ana Vazquez, shared the details on Facebook. The family invites the community to join them in honoring Victor.

Victor was shot multiple times by police after a neighbor reported him with a knife. According to family members, he had cerebral palsy and was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time. They had been having a barbecue when Victor found a hidden knife, prompting concerns from his sister, who tried to take it from him.

Witnesses claim that officers rushed to the scene and fired at Victor almost immediately. A police report indicated that officers told him to drop the knife, but he advanced toward them instead. Police Chief Roger Schei noted that two individuals were close to Victor, heightening the perceived risk.

Vazquez expressed frustration, stating that officers didn’t assess the situation before using lethal force. She emphasized that Victor was not a threat to his family and was in distress.

After the shooting, Victor was hospitalized but was later declared brain dead. His family made the heart-wrenching decision to end life support just one day later. A forensic autopsy has been completed, and both criminal and internal investigations are currently underway.

This tragic incident is part of a larger discussion about police use of force, especially with individuals experiencing mental health crises. According to a report from the Treatment Advocacy Center, individuals with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by police than other civilians. This underscores the urgent need for proper training and resources for law enforcement to handle such situations effectively.

The four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard after incidents of this nature. Ongoing investigations will determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, as community members seek justice for Victor.



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