| Date | April 5, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | 5:10 pm |
| Location | Pocatello, Idaho, United States |
| Type | Police shooting |
| Cause | Medical complications after gunshot wound |
| Filmed by | Neighbor and two security cameras |
| Participants | Victor Perez and Pocatello police |
| Casualties | |
| Victor Perez | |
| Suspects | Pocatello police |
| Charges | No charges filed |
| Litigation | Family filed civil lawsuit |
On April 5, 2025, 17-year-old Victor Perez, a non-verbal autistic boy with cerebral palsy, was shot and killed by four police officers in Pocatello, Idaho. Perez was taken to the Portneuf Medical Center for his injuries, where he died nearly a week later due to complications. On September 3, 2025, the Attorney General's Office stated that they would not file charges against the police officers; however, Perez's family is proceeding with a federal civil rights lawsuit.
On April 5, 2025, at 5:10pm, a security camera captured several people struggling. They were later identified as Perez's grandfather, mother and younger sister, who were struggling with him over a 9-inch kitchen knife. During this incident Perez attempted to strike his grandfather with the knife, and his grandfather returned several hits both with his hands and a log. [1] At 5:22pm, a neighbor called 911, "explaining that a man who appeared to be intoxicated was wielding a knife and trying to stab other people." [2] This would be the third time since December that the police were dispatched to that address, and in one of the incident reports the mother stated that Victor "had a history of having violent outbursts". [1] The 911 operator dispatched 4 police officers who were not aware of Perez' disability. [2] The neighbor who called 911 also recorded the events on her cellphone.
When the officers arrived, they gave verbal commands to Perez, and he did not comply. However, in response, he raised the knife and moved towards them at which point the officers shot him 12 times. [1] This occurred sixteen seconds after the officers arrived. [3] Victor Perez's leg had to be immediately amputated and was in critical condition. Perez died from his injuries on April 12. [4]
The Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force began investigating the shooting and Idaho State Police said evidence would be turned over to an area prosecutor. On September 3, 2025, the Idaho Attorney General's Office stated that they would not file charges against the officers involved in the shooting. Deputy Attorney General Jeff Nye acknowledged the shooting was a tragedy, but argued that "The State would be unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the four officers who discharged their weapons were not justified in using deadly force." [2]
A video was released by the neighbor who called 911. On Saturday, April 12, 2025, over 300 people attended the scheduled candlelight prayer vigil outside of the Portneuf Medical Center and then protested at City Hall. [5]
In June, the family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging excessive use of force as well as violations of the Fourth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment and the Americans with Disabilities Act. [6] [7] On September 3, the attorney for the Perez family stated that they are moving forward with the civil lawsuit despite the Attorney General clearing the officers. [8]