Idaho police department faces scrutiny after officers shoot disabled teen 9 times
A community in southeastern Idaho is demanding answers after police officers shot a disabled teenager from behind a chain-link fence seconds after they responded to his house and he approached them with a knife.
The teen, 17-year-old Victor Perez, who is autistic and has cerebral palsy, was shot nine times, his family told local news outlets. As of Tuesday, he remained in the hospital in critical condition and one of his legs was amputated.
The incident occurred Saturday evening in the city of Pocatello, where police responded to a 911 call reporting a physical disturbance involving a person with a knife and three other people. Within 20 seconds of officers' arrival, police shot Perez in the backyard of his home.
Video of the incident quickly circulated online and sparked outrage, with family members and neighbors questioning why police did not do more to de-escalate the situation or use non-lethal weapons. Perez's family members said he was in the midst of a behavioral episode, but that they can always get him under control when he's agitated.
It was not immediately clear whether police knew of Perez's disabilities. Ana Vazquez, the teen's aunt, told the Associated Press that the officers "barely spoke to anyone." She added, "They just said get back and they just, they shot to kill."
The Pocatello Police Department did not respond to Paste BN's request for comment.
In a video posted to the city's Facebook page, Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei said he could not take questions about the incident, citing an ongoing external investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force. A parallel internal investigation is also underway, Schei said.
Police release 911 audio as video of the incident incites outrage
A witness called 911 at approximately 5:22 p.m., telling the dispatcher that an apparently intoxicated man with a kitchen knife was chasing people around in a backyard, according to audio released by the Pocatello Police Department.
"He seems pretty drunk," the caller said, later adding that the person "fell on the ground and sort of passed out."
Video shows Perez on the ground with a knife as a woman tries to knock it out of his hand with a stick. A short time later, four officers quickly parked near the backyard and approached from behind the fence.
As the teen turned toward police and began standing up, the officers yelled "drop the knife" and aimed their firearms at him, including one officer with what appears to be a shot gun. Perez then began to approach the fence and officers fired multiple times, video shows. The loud shots were followed by screams from Perez's family.
Police chief says 'risk was immediate'
Schei at a news conference on Monday said Perez did not comply with "repeated commands" to drop the knife.
"In situations like this, officers must make decisions in seconds," he said. "They assess threats not just to themselves but to those nearby. In this case two individuals were within a few feet of an armed, non compliant individual. The risk was immediate and the situation rapidly evolving."
He also said the video of the incident does not show the full picture of what happened and a more thorough investigation is needed.
"We know this incident has deeply affected the community," he said. "We are aware of the video circulating online which shows only one angle. The full picture requires careful review of all facts and evidence."
Protests erupt amid mounting anger
Dozens of people on Saturday protested outside the Pocatello Police Department, demanding answers and accountability. Protesters held signs reading “Do Better PPD,” “Hold PPD accountable” and “What are Tasers for?" reported EastIdahoNews.
Bill Gerst was among a group of about 100 people who attended a protest and candlelight vigil in front of City Hall later that evening. He told Idaho News 6 that he doesn't understand the officer's handling of the incident.
"My biggest question is why? Why did the situation escalate so quickly without any other precautions?" he asked. "You’re armed with tasers, pepper spray, beanbags, and you have more officers present than just this person. Maybe try to subdue him instead."