Victor Perez, 17, who also had cerebral palsy, had been in a coma since the April 5 shooting, and tests Friday showed that he had no brain activity, his aunt, Ana Vazquez, told The Associated Press. He had undergone several surgeries, with doctors removing nine bullets and amputating his leg.
The shooting outraged Perez’s family and Pocatello residents, and about 200 people attended a vigil Saturday morning outside the Pocatello hospital where he was treated. Another crowd of protesters gathered outside the Pocatello City Hall building, which also houses the police department, on Saturday afternoon. Police snipers were stationed on a nearby rooftop during the protest, though no violence was reported. Many of the protesters held signs with phrases like, “Do better, PPD” and “Justice for Victor,” and passing cars honked in acknowledgment.
Police are trained that it is an “us or them” situation every time they encounter someone. Everyone will try to kill you unless proven otherwise.
They are taught if someone has a knife pulled they will be able to kill them.
Now obviously a severely disabled teen would not be able to rush them before they pulled their weapons. But they are not taught to evaluate or deescalate these situations. They are taught to kill
True, which is why I think we should take away their guns. They want to waste money on toys? Let them get fishing nets and people catchers. Give them tactical weighted blankets
And if they actually need a gun, have them call a unit dedicated to having guns - another tier that doesn’t do traffic stops and wellness checks
Unfortunately I don’t think that would be practical in the US. We do have many people with guns and weapons in general. An overhaul of training and giving access to appropriate tools would be most important. As it stands US cops are taught that a gun is their best tool and that’s how they use it. Maybe enforce pairs where only the senior most trained officer has a gun?
Otherwise I would like to see a lot more unarmed units focused on community policing issues. Whether that be a part of the police force or not. I also agree with units that only do traffic enforcement nothing more. That alone would reduce cop shootings massively. Many departments treat traffic stops as a way to catch other crimes and could care less about enforcing traffic laws that keep us safe
“iD rAtHeR bE tRiEd By 12 tHaN cArriEd bY 6”
Amazing how police in other countries manage to de-escalate