Victor Perez, a 17-year-old autistic and nonverbal teen with cerebral palsy, died Saturday after being removed from life support following a police shooting that left him critically injured. Perez had been in a coma since the April 5 incident, during which Pocatello police shot him nine times, his aunt Ana Vazquez confirmed.
The shooting occurred after officers responded to reports of an armed individual in a yard on North Harrison Avenue. According to police, Perez was holding a kitchen knife and failed to comply with commands to drop it. Witness video shows officers opening fire within seconds of arriving on the scene, as Perez stumbled toward them from behind a chain-link fence. Critics have questioned the officers’ decision to use lethal force without apparent attempts to de-escalate the situation.
Perez underwent multiple surgeries, including the removal of nine bullets and the amputation of his leg, before being declared brain-dead on Friday. His family decided to take him off life support Saturday morning. “It’s difficult for me to trust [the police] again,” Vazquez said in an interview. “They’re supposed to protect us”.
The shooting has sparked outrage in Pocatello and beyond, with community members mourning Perez at a candlelight vigil outside Portneuf Medical Center and later protesting near City Hall. Hundreds gathered to honor Perez’s life and demand accountability from law enforcement. “Victor was a happy-go-lucky kid who brought light to everyone around him,” said Ashlee Gugelman, a former teacher of Perez.
The East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting, and the four officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad expressed condolences to Perez’s family and pledged transparency as body camera footage is reviewed.
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