Autistic and Nonverbal Teen Victor Perez, 17, Fatally Shot by Police Within Seconds of Arrival Despite Family’s Pleas—Community Outrage Grows as Family Mourns and Demands Justice Amid Calls for Reform
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Perez family is heartbroken, and a community is outraged after the devastating death of 17-year-old Victor Perez, a nonverbal, autistic teen who was shot multiple times by police officers during a confrontation at his home. Victor passed away in the hospital after doctors removed him from life support, one week after the shooting that has reignited conversations about disability awareness and police response protocols.
According to family members, the tragic incident unfolded in a matter of seconds.
Victor, who also had cerebral palsy and struggled with mobility, was reportedly in a state of distress at home when relatives called 911 for assistance. What they hoped would be a calming intervention turned into a fatal police encounter. Four responding officers arrived on the scene and, according to recently released body camera footage, opened fire within 12 seconds of entering the residence. Victor was holding a kitchen knife but was unable to advance due to his physical limitations.
His family members were present and visibly distraught, shouting warnings to officers: “He’s disabled! He can’t move fast!” But the warnings fell on deaf ears. Nine shots were fired in total, striking Victor multiple times in the chest and abdomen.
He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and placed on life support. Over the next several days, his family kept vigil by his bedside, hoping for a miracle. On Friday, doctors informed them there was no longer any brain activity. With tearful goodbyes, the ventilator was removed. Victor died shortly after.
His aunt, Ana Vazquez, shared that Victor was gentle, joyful, and found happiness in simple things—french fries, cartoons, and painting his nails blue. “He didn’t understand danger,” she said. “He didn’t even understand what the yelling meant. He froze, and they shot him.”
The shooting has sparked protests throughout the city, with disability rights advocates, mental health professionals, and community organizers joining forces to demand accountability and systemic reform. Many are calling for greater use of crisis intervention teams trained to de-escalate situations involving neurodivergent individuals.
“Victor was failed by the very system that was supposed to protect him,” said one demonstrator outside city hall. “He didn’t get a chance to grow up, to be understood, to be safe in his own home.”
An internal investigation is underway. The police department has yet to release a formal statement addressing the shooting or the conduct of the officers involved, though they confirmed that an autopsy is pending. All four officers have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
Victor’s story, tragically, is not unique. Advocates highlight that individuals with disabilities are disproportionately affected by use-of-force incidents involving law enforcement. According to a 2023 study by the Ruderman Family Foundation, up to half of all people killed by police in the United States have some form of disability.
A candlelight vigil for Victor is scheduled for this weekend. His family, still grappling with unimaginable grief, hopes that his death will not be in vain.
“Victor deserved to be understood, not feared,” said his mother in a tearful statement. “He deserved to live.”
The Perez family is pursuing legal action while also calling for state-level reforms that include mandatory training for officers on how to handle calls involving individuals with autism and other disabilities.
Victor’s memory now lives on in the voices of those demanding justice—not only for him, but for every vulnerable life that hangs in the balance of misunderstanding and fear.
