Tragedy in Pocatello: Autistic Teen Fatally Shot by Police, Snipers Deployed at Peaceful Protest
On April 5, 2025, Pocatello, Idaho police officers fatally shot 17-year-old Victor Perez, an autistic and nonverbal teen with cerebral palsy, during a confrontation at his home. The officers responded to a 911 call reporting a disturbance involving a person allegedly wielding a knife. Upon arrival, they encountered Perez, who was holding a kitchen knife and reportedly advanced toward them after ignoring commands to drop the weapon. The officers opened fire within seconds of arriving on the scene. Perez was critically injured, underwent multiple surgeries, including a leg amputation, and was later removed from life support after being declared brain-dead.
In response to a peaceful protest held by Perez’s family on April 12, 2025, law enforcement deployed armed officers, including snipers, to ensure safety. The presence of these officers was due to a credible threat reported by the FBI, involving individuals interested in targeting officers. The city aimed to maintain peace during the protest, which supported Victor Perez.
Therefore, the same police department involved in the tragic incident attended the protest, but their presence was precautionary and related to the reported threat, not an indication of hostility toward the demonstrators.
