Pocatello Police Department Responds to Controversial Shooting of 17-Year-Old Autistic Teen Victor Perez

Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions and videos which may be distressing to some readers.

The Pocatello Police Department has released an official statement following the controversial shooting of a 17-year-old boy, Victor Perez, who was not only autistic but also physically disabled. The incident has sparked outrage and concern within the local community, raising significant questions about police response to vulnerable individuals in crisis situations.

On April 5, 2025, Perez, a Puerto Rican teenager from Pocatello, Idaho, was shot a total of nine times by four officers from the Pocatello Police Department. The young man, described as both autistic and physically disabled, had reportedly been struggling with mental health issues, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his family. His condition made it difficult for him to walk, leaving him reliant on his sister for support.

The events that led to the shooting began when Perez’s sister was reportedly attempting to assist him in standing up in their front yard. The GoFundMe page mentions that Perez was having trouble moving, which made it even more difficult for his family to help him in the situation. A concerned neighbor, noticing the distress, called the police in hopes that they could de-escalate the situation. However, within just 30 seconds of arriving on the scene, four officers opened fire on the young man.

In the aftermath, the Pocatello Police Department issued a public statement to clarify the situation and address growing concerns and misconceptions about the incident. Chief Roger Schei spoke to the public in a live broadcast, available on the City of Pocatello's Facebook page, where he provided details of the police response to the call.

“We understand the concern and emotion surrounding the tragic shooting of Victor Perez on April 5, 2025,” said Chief Schei. He explained that around 5:22 PM, officers were dispatched to respond to a disturbance in the area. To give the public further context about the officers' actions, the police chief shared a portion of the 911 call that led to the police response.

The 911 call, which was made by a bystander, described a chaotic scene. The caller reported seeing three people in the backyard, one of whom was allegedly brandishing a knife and appearing to be under the influence of some substance. The caller also mentioned that the individual with the knife was “rolling around on the ground” and seemed to have stabbed himself before falling unconscious.

“We were informed that the individual was possibly stabbing himself and appeared to be unsteady,” the chief said, summarizing the contents of the call. “The caller also described the person running at the others with a knife before collapsing.”

In the recording, the caller continued to provide details about what they were observing, with the voice describing the scene in real time. At one point, the caller even mentioned that the person with the knife “looked like he passed out.”

Upon arriving at the scene at 5:25 PM, officers reportedly saw the teenager lying on the ground while holding a large knife. At that point, two women were just a few feet away in the yard, and another man was standing just outside the fence, according to police reports. Despite repeated commands for Perez to drop the knife, he allegedly stood up and began advancing toward the officers while still holding the weapon.

In response, the officers opened fire. Chief Schei explained that the officers ceased shooting only when Perez collapsed to the ground. Immediately after the shooting, the officers provided life-saving measures to the teenager before he was transported to a nearby hospital. As of the latest update, Perez remains in critical condition, having undergone the amputation of his leg. Doctors have reportedly told the family to prepare for the worst, as his prognosis remains uncertain.

While the Pocatello Police Department’s initial statement was an attempt to explain the events as they unfolded, many in the community remain troubled by the actions of the officers. In particular, there are concerns about whether the police could have de-escalated the situation without resorting to lethal force, especially considering Perez’s physical and mental conditions.

Chief Schei defended the officers' actions, stating that they had to make split-second decisions in a rapidly evolving situation. “Officers must assess the threat not only to themselves but also to those around them,” he said. “In this case, two individuals were close to an armed, non-compliant individual. The risk to everyone involved was immediate.”

He also noted that the public's reaction had been influenced by the videos circulating online, which provide only one perspective of the incident. “The videos you see online show just one angle. It’s important to understand that the full picture involves a careful review of all the facts and evidence,” Schei continued. “This is why we are allowing independent investigators to look into the situation.”

The incident is now being investigated by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force, a body composed of independent agencies, while Pocatello PD is conducting its own internal investigation. The police department has confirmed that they will not release the identity of the injured individual, though they have confirmed he is 17 years old.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident,” Chief Schei concluded, adding that, out of respect for the ongoing investigation, no questions would be taken at the time.