The Idaho Attorney General’s Office has announced that criminal charges will not be filed against police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Victor Perez, a 17-year-old who had autism and cerebral palsy.
According to a 12-page letter issued by Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office, prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers’ use of deadly force was not legally justified under Idaho law.
Perez was shot by officers responding to a disturbance at a residence in Pocatello, Idaho, on April 5.
Incident Background
Authorities reported that officers were dispatched to the Perez family home after a neighbor called police during a family barbecue.
According to the attorney general’s letter:
- Perez had obtained a knife during the gathering.
- His sister was attempting to take the knife away from him.
- A neighbor contacted police after observing the situation.
Family members later stated that Perez was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the incident.
The attorney general’s office reported that responding officers were informed through dispatch that they were responding to a disturbance involving an intoxicated male attempting to stab others with a knife.
Body Camera Video and Timeline
Body-worn camera video released by the Pocatello Police Department shows that approximately 16 seconds elapsed between the officers’ arrival and the moment shots were fired.
According to the attorney general’s letter:
- Officers moved to the fence surrounding the backyard of the residence.
- An officer can be heard shouting “drop the knife” five times.
- No other audible commands or statements were heard before shots were fired.
Authorities reported that officers fired nine shots at Perez.
The attorney general’s office stated that none of the four officers involved in the shooting were aware of Perez’s age or his disabilities at the time of the encounter.
According to the letter, the officers’ knowledge was limited to the information provided by dispatch prior to their arrival.
Attorney General’s Legal Analysis
Attorney General Raúl Labrador stated that prosecutors could not establish that the use of deadly force violated Idaho law.
The attorney general’s office wrote in its letter:
“The state would be unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the use of deadly force was not justified in this matter because the officers were not familiar with Perez’s limited capabilities.”
The letter further stated that Perez:
- Refused repeated commands to drop the knife
- Pointed the knife
- Moved toward the officers
According to the attorney general’s office, a use-of-force expert who reviewed the case concluded that a reasonable officer could have perceived Perez as an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury.
The attorney general’s office did not identify the expert in the letter.
Idaho Law on Use of Deadly Force
The attorney general’s review stated that under Idaho law, officers were not required to retreat before using deadly force in this situation.
The letter noted that officers positioned themselves near the fence surrounding the backyard when they confronted Perez.
The attorney general’s office stated that, in hindsight, it may have been preferable for officers to maintain a greater distance, but emphasized that Idaho law did not impose a duty to retreat in the circumstances described.
Statements From Officials
Attorney General Labrador’s office described the incident as a “tragedy,” noting that Perez had developmental delays and several medical conditions, including autism and cerebral palsy.
The letter concluded that prosecutors could not meet the legal standard required to pursue criminal charges against the officers involved.
Family members declined to comment publicly following the announcement, according to reports.
Current Status
As of the attorney general’s decision:
- The Idaho Attorney General’s Office has declined to file criminal charges.
- The determination was based on prosecutors’ assessment of Idaho use-of-force law.
- The attorney general’s office issued a 12-page letter explaining its findings.
No additional criminal proceedings related to the officers’ actions have been announced.
FAQ
Who was Victor Perez?
Victor Perez was a 17-year-old resident of Pocatello, Idaho, who had autism, cerebral palsy, and developmental delays.
Why were police called to the home?
According to authorities, a neighbor contacted police after observing a disturbance during a family barbecue in which Perez had obtained a knife.
How long after officers arrived were shots fired?
Body camera footage reportedly shows that approximately 16 seconds elapsed between officers arriving and the shooting.
Did officers know Perez had disabilities?
According to the attorney general’s office, the officers were unaware of Perez’s age or medical conditions at the time of the incident.
Why were no criminal charges filed?
Prosecutors stated they could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers’ use of deadly force was not justified under Idaho law.
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