Idaho Police Shooting of Disabled Teen Raises Accountability Questions

Victor Perez, a 17-year-old with autism and cerebral palsy, remains in critical condition after being shot nine times by police responding to a disturbance call in Pocatello.

Victor Perez, described as autistic and having cerebral palsy, was shot nine times by police within 12 seconds of their arrival at a reported domestic disturbance.
Video footage shows officers firing from behind a chain-link fence as Perez, holding a knife, approached them; his family disputes claims that he was intoxicated.
Perez underwent multiple surgeries, including a leg amputation, and remains in critical condition, with doctors monitoring his brain activity.
The Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force and an internal review are investigating the shooting, while questions about de-escalation and non-lethal options persist.
Community protests continue outside the Pocatello Police Department, with calls for accountability and reforms in handling individuals with developmental disabilities.