In April 2025, the city of Pocatello, Idaho, became the center of a deeply disturbing incident that sparked national outrage and ignited a critical conversation about law enforcement’s interactions with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Victor Perez, a 17-year-old boy with nonverbal autism and cerebral palsy, was fatally shot by police officers, leading to widespread grief, protests, and calls for accountability.
The Incident: A Knife, a Fence, and Fatal Shots
On April 5, 2025, Pocatello police responded to a 911 call reporting a possibly intoxicated male armed with a knife chasing people in a yard. The individual was Victor Perez, who, due to his disabilities, walked with a staggered gait. He was in his fenced yard, holding a kitchen knife, and his family members were attempting to get the blade away from him.
Bodycam footage released by the Pocatello Police Department revealed a shocking sequence of events. Within seconds of arriving at the scene, four officers lined up outside the chain-link fence surrounding the yard. Despite the presence of the fence separating them from Victor, and without any apparent attempts at de-escalation or assessment of Victor’s disabilities, the officers repeatedly yelled, “Drop the knife!”
As Victor, who was nonverbal and likely unable to fully comprehend the officers’ commands, began to stand up, three officers opened fire with their handguns, while a fourth discharged a bean-bag shotgun. Nine bullets struck Victor.
The Aftermath: Death, Outrage, and Calls for Justice
Critically injured, Victor Perez underwent multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his leg. Tragically, a week after the shooting, tests revealed a lack of brain activity, and he was removed from life support on April 12, 2025.
Victor’s death sent shockwaves through the Pocatello community and beyond. Protests erupted, with hundreds gathering to mourn his loss and demand answers from the police department. Community members and disability advocates questioned why the officers resorted to lethal force so quickly, especially given the presence of a fence and the apparent lack of effort to de-escalate the situation or understand Victor’s disabilities.
Legal Action and Investigation
A California-based law firm filed a federal wrongful death notice against the city of Pocatello on behalf of Victor Perez’s family. The claim alleges excessive force and negligence on the part of the responding officers, highlighting the fact that the officers did not attempt to communicate with Victor’s family about the situation or warn them before opening fire. The lawsuit aims to hold the city and the involved officers accountable for Victor’s tragic death.
The Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force, led by the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be reviewed by the Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador to determine whether charges should be filed against the officers involved. The names of the officers have not been publicly released.
Other Notable Individuals Named Victor Perez
While the recent tragic death of Victor Perez in Idaho has garnered significant attention, it’s important to acknowledge other notable individuals with the same name:
Victor “Young” Perez (1911-194)5: A Tunisian Jewish boxer who became the World Flyweight Champion in 1931. His life story is both inspiring and tragic. He was deported to Auschwitz during the Holocaust and forced to box for the amusement of Nazi officers.
He was eventually murdered during the death march from Auschwitz in January 1945. His story was immortalized in the 2013 French film “Victor Young Perez.” Online searches for this Victor Perez often relate to his boxing career, his championship title, and his tragic fate during the Holocaust.
Víctor Pérez (Golfer) (Born 1992): A French professional golfer who has achieved success on the European Tour. Golf enthusiasts searching for “Victor Perez” are likely looking for information on his tournament results, world ranking, and career statistics.
Víctor Pérez (Puerto Rican Boxer) (Born 1971): A former professional boxer from Puerto Rico who competed in the light welterweight division. Boxing fans might search for his fight record and career highlights.
Victor Santillan (Dominican Boxer) (Born 1995): A light flyweight and bantamweight boxer from the Dominican Republic who won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. Searches related to this Victor Perez would focus on his amateur and professional boxing career.
FAQs
What are Victor Perez’s notable achievements in professional golf?
Victor Perez is a French professional golfer who has achieved multiple victories on the DP World Tour. His notable wins include the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a prestigious Rolex Series event. He also won the 2022 Dutch Open in a playoff. Perez represented France in the 2014 Eisenhower Trophy and was the joint-second lowest individual scorer. He has also secured wins on the Challenge Tour and the Alps Tour earlier in his career.
What is Victor Perez’s best finish in a major championship?
Victor Perez’s best finish in a major championship to date was a tie for 12th place at The Open
Championship in 2023 (referred to as “that year’s Open at Royal Liverpool” in one source).
On which tours has Victor Perez played, and what is his current standing?
Victor Perez has played on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). He previously played on the Challenge Tour and the Alps Tour. As of April 21, 2025, his Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is 106th. He finished 7th on the 2023 Race to Dubai rankings, earning him dual membership on the PGA Tour for 2024. He is currently 117th in the 2025 FedExCup standings.
When did Victor Perez turn professional, and what is his nationality?
Victor Perez turned professional in 2015. He was born in Séméac, France, and his sporting nationality is French.
What is known about Victor Perez’s personal life and background, based on the provided information?
Victor Perez was born on September 2, 1992. He attended the University of New Mexico. He resided in Dundee, Scotland, in 2017 and later moved to Edinburgh in 2023. His wife’s name is Abigail. He is listed as having an interest in tennis and American Football. He studied psychology with a chemistry minor at the University of New Mexico.
In summary
The death of Victor Perez is a profound tragedy that underscores the urgent need for improved training and protocols for law enforcement officers when interacting with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The swift resort to lethal force in a situation where a fence provided a physical barrier and de-escalation tactics were seemingly absent has ignited a national conversation about police accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
As the legal proceedings and investigations unfold, the hope is that Victor Perez’s death will serve as a catalyst for meaningful change in police training and practices, ensuring that such a tragedy is not repeated. The memory of Victor, a young man with unique challenges, will undoubtedly fuel the ongoing fight for justice and a more humane approach to law enforcement interactions within the disability community.
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