Idaho Police Killing of Autistic Teen: A Preventable Tragedy?

Idaho Police Killing of Autistic Teen Sparks Outrage and Calls for Reform POCATELLO, IDAHO—The death of 17-year-old Victor Pérez, who was shot and killed by Pocatello police officers on May 4th, 2025, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for better training and de-escalation techniques within law enforcement. Pérez, who was nonverbal and autistic, was shot nine times during a family gathering. His sister, who witnessed the incident, desperately tried to warn officers that her brother was "special," but her pleas were ignored. "They didn't even try to understand," she stated in an interview. "They just started shooting." Body camera footage shows the officers arriving on the scene and quickly escalating the situation, resulting in the fatal shooting. Experts interviewed in the DW Español video highlight the lack of adequate training for police officers in handling individuals with autism and other disabilities. Neuropsychologist Maru Izuriéta commented, "There's still a long way to go. Globally, there isn't enough systemic training or protocols for dealing with this population." The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive training programs to equip law enforcement with the skills and knowledge to de-escalate conflicts and avoid tragic outcomes.