• Victor Perez, a 17-year-old autistic teen, was declared brain dead after being shot by police.
• The police shooting occurred in Pocatello, Idaho, while responding to a 911 call.
• Victor was shot nine times, with witnesses noting a lack of de-escalation by the officers.
• A vigil has been held as community uproar grows over the incident.
• Investigations into the shooting are currently underway, with officers on administrative leave.

Victor Perez, a 17-year-old nonverbal autistic boy, was declared clinically brain dead and subsequently died on Saturday after being shot nine times by police in Pocatello, Idaho. The incident occurred on April 5, 2025, when officers responded to a 911 call concerning an intoxicated man chasing someone with a knife. The individual was later identified as Victor, who was not intoxicated but exhibited a staggered gait due to his disabilities, according to his aunt, Ana Vazquez, who confirmed the tragic news to CBS News and other outlets.

The shooting unfolded rapidly, with video evidence showing that police fired their weapons within approximately 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars, offering no discernible efforts to de-escalate the situation. Witnesses, including family members, reported that they were attempting to communicate with the officers that Victor posed no significant threat, raising questions about the officers' quick use of lethal force. “Everybody was trying to tell the police, no, no,” Vazquez stated, adding, “Those four officers didn’t care. They didn’t ask what was happening, what was the situation,” as reported by NPR.

The aftermath has sparked community outrage, with vigils organized to honor Victor and express frustrations over police tactics regarding individuals with disabilities. Approximately 200 attendees mourned outside the hospital where he was treated, illustrating the collective grief within the community following his death. Mayor Brian Blad expressed condolences, acknowledging the substantial pain and grief the incident has caused among residents, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The four police officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave while investigations are conducted into their actions. Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson mentioned that once the investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force concludes, an outside agency will review the findings to maintain objectivity. Pocatello Mayor Blad confirmed ongoing internal and external investigations but noted the city is currently limited in its ability to publicly address specific questions to avoid compromising the inquiry, as detailed by the India Times.