Autistic Teen Fatally Shot by Police: Calls for Reform | JQJO

17-year-old Victor Perez, an autistic nonverbal teenager with cerebral palsy, was fatally shot nine times by Pocatello, Idaho police officers. Responding to a 911 call about a man with a knife, officers engaged Perez, who was experiencing a mental health crisis, within seconds of arrival. Advocates highlight this as an example of the dangers faced by individuals with disabilities during police encounters, citing a lack of nationwide data and inadequate training. While the Pocatello Police Department's manual addresses crisis intervention, it lacks specific autism training. The incident sparked calls for improved police training in de-escalation techniques and crisis response involving individuals with autism and mental health conditions. The shooting is under investigation.