- 3 officers fired lethal rounds through fence within 15 seconds of arrival
- Victim had autism, cerebral palsy, and communicated nonverbally
- Family files federal suit alleging excessive force against disabled citizens
- 200+ protesters demand mandatory de-escalation training statewide
Newly released police footage from Pocatello, Idaho shows critical failures in crisis response protocols for disabled individuals. The April 5 incident occurred when Victor Perez, a 17-year-old with multiple developmental disabilities, experienced a mental health episode while holding a kitchen knife. Bodycam evidence confirms officers bypassed standard de-escalation procedures outlined in the 2021 Idaho Peace Officer Standards manual, opting instead for immediate lethal force.
National statistics reveal disturbing patterns: 38% of police shootings nationwide involve disabled suspects, per Disability Rights Advocates. Yet only 12% of Idaho police departments require crisis intervention training (CIT) for officers—a crucial gap highlighted by this tragedy. Comparative analysis shows neighboring Oregon reduced police shootings by 44% after implementing mandatory 40-hour CIT programs in 2022.
The Perez family’s legal team emphasizes structural negligence, noting officers ignored three key opportunities for non-lethal resolution. First responders could have utilized:
- Beanbag shotgun as primary deterrent (already drawn by fourth officer)
- Fence barrier for tactical repositioning
- Family members’ proximity for communication assistance
Community responses mirror national debates about policing protocols. Local advocacy group Disabled Rights Idaho now petitions for Victor’s Law—legislation requiring disability recognition training and regional mental health co-responder programs. The proposal aligns with Justice Department recommendations from their 2023 review of similar cases in Tennessee and Colorado.
Police Chief Roger Schei’s refusal to comment underscores systemic transparency issues. Independent experts criticize the department’s 11-minute response time to a non-emergency call, contrasting with their 8-second decision to deploy lethal force. Bodycam transcripts reveal no attempts to assess Perez’s cognitive state or communicate through his caregivers—a violation of ADA accommodation guidelines according to federal court precedent.
