Incident Overview

According to reports, Perez, who is nonverbal and has several disabilities including cerebral palsy, was holding a kitchen knife during a dispute with family members in their front yard. His aunt, Ana Vazquez, indicated that he functions at the level of a young child and struggles with mobility.

Emergency Call and Officer Response

A neighbor witnessed the scenario and called 911, describing Perez’s behavior as erratic and suggesting he might be intoxicated. However, Vazquez clarified that due to his disabilities, Perez has a distinctive gait that may have contributed to the confusion.

By the time officers arrived at approximately 5:25 p.m., Perez was reportedly still on the ground. The response team included four officers, three of whom drew their firearms while one displayed what appeared to be a shotgun. After issuing commands for Perez to drop the knife, he stood up and moved towards them, yet a chain-link fence separated him from the officers.

Post-Incident Analysis

The officers opened fire approximately 12 seconds after their arrival. Vazquez stated that her family had never previously called the police regarding Perez, and this event marked his first interaction with law enforcement. It remains unclear if officers were aware of his special needs and whether they considered de-escalation tactics before using lethal force.

The response to the situation has drawn significant community criticism. Witness Brad Andres remarked that “they ran up with their guns drawn,” indicating a lack of inquiry into the situation before resorting to force.

Community Reaction and Current Condition

Following the shooting, protests erupted outside the Pocatello Police Department, with community members expressing their outrage over the officers’ actions. Vazquez remarked, “The police barely spoke to anyone… they just shot to kill.”

Perez is currently hospitalized, where he has undergone amputation of his leg as a result of the shooting. His family is facing uncertainty about his recovery, as doctors have stated they are preparing for a dire outcome.

Investigation and Future Steps

The East Idaho Critical Incident Task Force, along with Pocatello Police, is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Chief Roger Schei of the Pocatello Police addressed community concerns, emphasizing that the video circulating online shows only one perspective of the incident. He insisted that a full review of facts and evidence is necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding.

In light of the community’s needs, a GoFundMe campaign titled “Justice for Victor Perez” has been established to aid the family financially during this challenging time, with hopes of fostering positive discussions in the aftermath of the tragedy.