Police release statement after autistic teen left fighting for life after being shot '9 times' by cops
Warning: This article contains graphic description and video which some readers may find distressing.
Pocatello Police Department has released a statement after officers shot a 17-year-old autistic boy who is also 'physically disabled'.
On April 5, 17-year-old Victor Perez was shot nine times by 'four members of the Pocatello PD'.
The Puerto Rican teen from Pocatello, Idaho, is reported as being 'autistic' and 'physically disabled,' a GoFundMe for the teen stating he was 'struggling with mental health issues'.
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On the day of the shooting, it states his sister was 'struggling to help him stand up off the ground in their front yard,' due to him being 'unable to walk well'.
"A neighbor called the police to de-escalate the situation, and four members of the Pocatello PD arrived on the scene and within 30 seconds had shot him," it states.
Police have since released a statement to 'provide clarity, share the information [they] can at this stage and address some misconceptions that have emerged'.
Chief Roger Schei said during a live broadcast shared onto the City of Pocatello's Facebook page: "We understand the concern and emotion surrounding the shooting which occurred on April 5, 2025.
"[...] At approximately 5:22pm on Saturday, April 5, Pocatello police officers were dispatched [...] in a response to a reported disturbance."
Chief Schei then played the 911 call made to authorities in relation to the incident for 'context' as to what officers 'were responding to'.
The 911 call documents a voice reporting spotting three people 'out back' with someone 'brandishing a knife' - the one with the knife looking 'under the influence'.
The voice claims their dad is recording a video of everything they can see, remaining on the phone to authorities narrating what they can allegedly see, saying they can see someone 'rolling around on the ground'.
CBS News reports the caller saying: "He's just running at them with a knife and then falling over. I think he just stabbed himself, actually. [...] He looks like he fell on the ground and kind of passed out."
The 911 call lasts for around five minutes before cutting out, Chief Schei continuing: "Multiple officers responded due to the nature of the call. When officers arrived at 5:25pm, they saw a male on the ground holding a large knife."
The Chief's statement continued: "Two females were just a few feet away in the yard and another male stood just outside the fence. Officers positioned just outside the yard gave repeated commands for the male to drop the knife. He did not comply, instead he stood up and advanced towards the officers while still armed.
"At that point, officers discharged their firearms, stopping when the male fell. PPD officers immediately began life-saving measures and the male was transported to the Portland Medical Center where he remains hospitalized."
Indeed, the GoFundMe details: "Victor is currently in critical condition at the hospital, and his leg has already been amputated. Doctors have advised his family to prepare for the worst."
Chief Schei resolved by arguing: "In situations like this, officers must make decisions in seconds, they asses threats, not just to themselves, but to those nearby. In this case, two individuals were within a few feat of an armed, non-compliant individual - the risk was immediate and the situation rapidly evolving.
"We know this incident has deeply affected the community, we are also aware of the videos circulating online which shows only one angle. The full picture requires careful review of all facts and evidence - PPD is not releasing the male's name but can confirm he is 17 years old.
"The incident is being investigated independently by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force made up of outside independent ages in a parallel internal investigation.
"Our thoughts are with everyone impacted. Again, we're not taking questions out of respect for the ongoing investigation."
Poppy Bilderbeck