Eyewitness footage shows the harrowing moment police opened fire on a 17-year-old with cerebral palsy in his own front yard, leaving him critically injured and his family pleading for justice.
Victor Perez, who has both physical and cognitive disabilities, was shot nine times by officers in Pocatello, Idaho, on Saturday. His family says he was in the midst of a mental health episode and holding a knife when police arrived—within seconds, the situation escalated to gunfire.
A Struggle Turned Tragic
The viral Facebook video captures Perez lying on the ground, gripping a knife as a woman—possibly a family member—pleads with him, saying, “No, no,” while trying to intervene. Moments later, officers arrive, shouting commands to drop the weapon from behind a fence.
Perez, who struggles to stand due to his cerebral palsy, slowly moves toward the officers before they unleash a barrage of gunfire at the 2:58 mark. The chilling screams of his loved ones echo in the background.
A Teen with the “Mind of a Child”
Perez’s aunt, Ana Vazquez, told KIFI that her nephew has the cognitive ability of a 5-year-old and limited mobility. “He can hardly walk,” she said. “People around here can tell you that.”
While she admitted he sometimes becomes agitated, she insisted the family could always calm him down. “We always can control him,” she said.
Police Defend Their Actions
Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei held a press conference Monday, playing the 911 call where a witness reported a physical altercation involving a knife. He displayed an image of the blade Perez allegedly held and stated that officers gave “repeated commands” before firing.
“He did not comply—instead, he stood up and advanced towards the officers while still armed,” Schei said. “At that point, officers discharged their firearms.”
Schei defended the officers’ split-second decision, citing the immediate danger to bystanders. He also noted that Perez received emergency medical aid before being rushed to Portneuf Regional Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition after multiple surgeries—including the amputation of his left leg.
Community Outrage and Protests
The shooting has sparked backlash, with protesters gathering outside the Pocatello Police Department on Sunday. Brad Andres, who filmed the incident, told KIFI he didn’t believe lethal force was justified.
“He wasn’t chasing anybody,” Andres said. “Everyone could have easily stayed out of reach of his knife. This wasn’t a truly dangerous situation.”
Chief Schei urged the public to withhold judgment, stating that the circulating video shows only one perspective and that investigations by the East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force are ongoing.
A Call for Accountability
As Perez fights for his life, his family and community demand transparency. The case raises urgent questions about police responses to mental health crises—especially involving disabled individuals.
For now, Idaho authorities face mounting pressure to explain why a disabled teenager, in the throes of an episode, ended up shot nine times in his own yard.