Victor Perez, a 17-year-old visual disabled girl with cerebral palsy who was shot nine times by authorities in Pocatello, Idaho, has passed away, his family announced on Saturday.
The girl was reportedly in a stupor since the April 5 affair, and he was given a brain-deaf diagnosis on Friday, according to Associated Press news agency.
According to Perez’s uncle, Ana Vazquez, the teenager underwent several surgeries following the shooting, including having one leg amputated and nine bullets removed, but doctors finally determined that there was no brain activity.
Officers responded to a 911 call that an “intoxicated person” was allegedly chasing individuals with a blade after the incident. Victor turned out to be him, who had disability and was not drunk but stumbling.
His household claims that he discovered a kitchen knife at a gathering of friends and was being detained by him.
According to NBC News, officials arrived at the residence and opened fire shortly after leaving their police cars.
A neighbor recorded a picture of Victor lying in the garden before attempting to walk and stumbling toward officials while holding the knife. When the authorities began shooting, he was tucked away from the officers behind a chain-link border.
” Everyone was trying to tell the officers, no, no,” Vazquez said. ” Those four officers didn’t attention,” they said. They continued,” They didn’t inquire as to what was going on or what was going on.”
When he can’t move, how is he going to jump the border? She more inquired.
Victor’s passing has sparked outrage in the Pocatello neighborhood, with protests now taking place and a celebration on Saturday night outside the medical where he was treated.
According to Roger Schei, the officials issued orders for Victor to cut the weapon and described the situation as one where “officers had to make a split-second choice.”
But, widespread criticism has been leveled at the rapid escalation and lethal force being used without making any visible de-escalation efforts.
Mayor of Pocatello Brian Blad said in a statement that he was sorry for the harm and suffering this occurrence has caused in his neighborhood. He added that the town is conducting” the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves” while” criminal, outside, and inside investigations” are ongoing.
Bannock County Prosecutor Ian Johnson confirmed that once the investigation is complete, the document will be reviewed by an organization outside the state to maintain objectivity. The Eastern Idaho Essential Incident Task Force is carrying out the external evaluation.
The four involved officials are still on administrative leave. Their brands have not been made public.
Victor’s relatives and supporters are now urging fairness and a more thorough examination of police’s handling of cases involving people with disabilities.
