Autistic teen shot by Idaho police dies after being removed from life support

CNN - Apr 12th, 2025

Victor Perez, a 17-year-old autistic and nonverbal boy with cerebral palsy, was fatally shot by police in Pocatello, Idaho, after being mistaken for an intoxicated man with a knife. Despite attempts by his family to communicate his disabilities and the situation to the responding officers, the police opened fire within seconds of arriving at the scene, leading to Perez's death after being removed from life support. The incident has sparked outrage among Perez's family and the local community, who had planned a vigil outside the hospital.

The shooting is under investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Team, with the officers involved placed on administrative leave. Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad acknowledged the community's grief and emphasized the seriousness of the investigation. The case raises significant concerns about police practices, particularly regarding interactions with individuals with disabilities, and highlights the need for improved de-escalation training. The outcome of the investigation and any potential charges against the officers are yet to be determined.

Law Enforcement Disability Rights Idaho Cerebral Palsy Autism Victor Perez Police Shooting Pocatello Police Department Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Team

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RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and timely account of a tragic incident involving police use of force against a disabled teenager. It scores well in accuracy, with most claims verifiable through credible sources and witness accounts. The story effectively balances perspectives from the family, community, and officials, though it could benefit from more input from the police involved. Transparency and clarity are strong, with clear presentation and logical structure, though additional context on police protocols would enhance understanding. The story's timeliness and public interest are high, reflecting ongoing debates about police conduct and disability rights. Overall, the article is well-crafted, engaging, and likely to provoke meaningful discussion and potential policy consideration.

Accuracy

The story's factual claims are largely accurate and verifiable, with key details corroborated by multiple sources. For instance, the report that Victor Perez was shot by Idaho police and later died after being removed from life support is confirmed by his family and other news outlets. The claim that Perez was shot nine times is supported by witness video and police statements, although the full context is still under investigation. The story accurately reports that the officers were placed on administrative leave and that an independent investigation is underway. However, the details of the 911 call and the exact nature of police de-escalation efforts require further verification to ensure complete accuracy.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including perspectives from Perez's family, the police, and city officials. It highlights the family's outrage and the community's response, as well as statements from the Pocatello Mayor and the Bannock County Prosecutor. However, the story could benefit from more detailed accounts from the police officers involved or their representatives to provide a fuller picture of the incident. The emphasis on the family's perspective may suggest a slight imbalance, but the inclusion of official statements helps to mitigate this.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents the sequence of events, making it easy for readers to follow the story. The language is straightforward, and the tone is neutral, which aids comprehension. The inclusion of direct quotes helps to convey the emotions and positions of the involved parties. However, the story could be enhanced by providing more background information on the protocols for police interactions with individuals with disabilities.

Source quality

The sources used in the article are credible and reliable. The story cites direct statements from Perez's family, the Pocatello Mayor, and the Bannock County Prosecutor, all of which are authoritative sources for the information presented. The article also references witness video, which adds a layer of evidence to the claims made. However, the absence of direct quotes or statements from the police officers involved or their legal representatives limits the source variety.

Transparency

The article is transparent in disclosing the basis for its claims, primarily through direct quotes from involved parties and references to witness video. It clearly states that an independent investigation is ongoing, which explains why some details may not yet be available. However, the lack of detailed methodology in how the information was gathered and the absence of potential conflicts of interest disclosures slightly reduce the transparency score.