Boise, Idaho The Boise Police Department has released body camera footage depicting the officer-involved shooting of Victor Perez, a 17-year-old who was autistic and had other developmental disabilities. The incident occurred last week when officers responded to a call involving Perez, who was reportedly armed with a knife.
The released footage shows officers approaching Perez, who was standing on the other side of a fence. Perez is seen holding a knife. Officers can be heard giving verbal commands. The video shows the officers firing their weapons, striking Perez. He was transported to a local hospital and subsequently declared brain dead.
Perez's family has expressed grief and outrage over the incident, questioning the necessity of lethal force. Advocates for individuals with autism and other disabilities have also voiced concerns about police training and protocols for interacting with people in crisis. The shooting is currently under investigation by the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force. The release of the bodycam footage is part of the department's commitment to transparency, according to Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar.
Idaho Police Release Bodycam Footage of Autistic Teen Shooting
Idaho police have released body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old autistic teen. Victor Perez, who also had cerebral palsy and a developmental disability, was shot by officers while holding a knife on the other side of a fence. Perez was later declared brain dead and taken off life support. The release of the footage has sparked renewed debate about police response tactics when dealing with individuals with disabilities.
Source: Read the original article at NBC