Just days before the November 4th mayoral election, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad has become the subject of a fresh wave of intense public criticism and support following his release of a video reflecting on his handling of the fatal, officer-involved shooting of disabled teenager Victor Perez earlier this year.
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A small group of Pocatello residents gathered for a community protest Tuesday, demanding police reform and increased accountability following the shooting death of Victor Perez and the attorney general’s decision not to file criminal charges against the officers involved.
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Supporters of Victor Perez are planning to gather at the Pocatello City Council meeting tonight to speak out after the investigation into his shooting concluded.
On Wednesday, the Idaho Attorney General’s office announced its determination based on an investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force: the four officers who shot Perez would not be criminally charged.
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Following an investigation by the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force, the Idaho Attorney General’s Office has determined that the four officers involved in the fatal shooting of Victor Perez, an autistic teenager with cerebral palsy, will not face criminal charges.
The investigation was led by the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, a neighboring agency to the Pocatello Police Department. In a statement, Attorney General Raúl Labrador’s office stated that it could not prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the officers committed a crime and found that their use of force was justified under Idaho law.
Attorneys of the Victor Perez family are hosting a “Truth and Reconciliation Conference” in Pocatello on Saturday to allow citizens to voice their concerns regarding the officer-involved shooting and other related issues.
Continue Reading Lawyers representing the family of Victor Perez, a 17-year-old with autism and cerebral palsy, held a press conference tonight, Thursday, June 26, to announce a lawsuit filed against the Pocatello Police Department. Victor Perez was shot nine times by Pocatello police officers on April 5, later dying from his injuries after being taken off life support.
The lawsuit, officially filed by attorneys from the law firm Burris Nisenbaum Curry & Lacy and local attorney Jenniffer Call, alleges that the department violated Victor’s civil rights.
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Attorneys for the family of Victor Perez, the autistic teen fatally shot by Pocatello Police Officers on April 5th, are set to hold a press conference tomorrow, June 26, announcing the next steps in the Civil rights lawsuit against the city of Pocatello.
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The conference will allow Pocatello citizens and members of the Fort Hall Reservation to voice concerns
regarding the Victor Perez shooting as well as any other community related issues. Another goal of the
conference is to match attorneys with citizens and reservation members who need representation.
Attorneys for the family of Victor Perez, the 17-year-old autistic teenager with cerebral palsy who was shot by Pocatello Police on April 5, 2025, are organizing a series of public forums aimed at fostering community dialogue and addressing concerns surrounding the incident.
Attorneys from the law firm Burris, Nisenbaum, Curry & Lacy are spearheading a Truth and Reconciliation Conference on June 28, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3PM.
Continue Reading Lawyers representing the family of Victor Perez are arguing the fatal shooting of the disabled teen by Pocatello Police was a preventable tragedy, saying the officers were aware of the 17-year-old’s autism diagnosis, significant mental health struggles, and physical disabilities.
The new development comes after a Local News 8 investigation broke the news that Pocatello police had previously interacted with Victor Perez on two separate occasions before the April 5 shooting that led to his death.
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The entire Pocatello community is trying to come to grips with what happened on April 5. Attorneys for the family of Victor Perez are organizing a series of town hall meetings to give the public a chance to speak out on the officer-involved shooting incident that led to the 17-year-old being shot and killed by police.
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The shocking and controversial Pocatello police shooting of 17-year-old Victor Perez on April 5, 2025, ignited public outrage and propelled the city into a national conversation about the use of force.
Local News 8 has created the interactive timeline to provide more insight into how events unfolded and how the shooting has impacted the Pocatello and greater southeast Idaho communities.
Continue Reading A Local News 8 investigation into Pocatello Police reports has uncovered significant new details surrounding the tragic shooting of disabled teen, Victor Perez.
Perhaps the most crucial revelation: the Pocatello Police Department was aware of Victor’s mental disabilities before the April 5th shooting. Our investigation also reveals police had been called to the property on previous occasions to intervene in the 17-year-old’s violent outbursts.
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Pocatello Residents question city’s response to Victor Perez during town hall.
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POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A fundraiser is being held for the Perez family in honor of their son, Victor, on May 17th. Victor Perez was shot and killed by Pocatello Police on April 5th of this year. Those wishing to participate should bring a car or bike to C&G Sales and Service, located on 3950
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Over 50 people showed up to ride for Victor Perez on Friday night. Victor is the autistic teen who was shot and killed by Pocatello police earlier this month.
Continue Reading Mayor Brian Blad is providing updates on the case of the police shooting that led to the death of 17-year-old Victor Perez of Pocatello.
The move comes after a prominent California-based civil rights firm, known for representing Rodney King in his case against Los Angeles Police officers, filed a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim against the city on behalf of the family of Victor Perez.
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Only a day after the funeral of the disabled 17-year-old shot by Pocatello Police officers, a major civil rights firm, Burris Nisenbaum Curry & Lacy (BNCL), has filed a wrongful death and civil rights violation claim against the city of Pocatello on behalf of the family of Victor Perez.
“The family wanted the police to help their son, not kill him,” said John Burris, an attorney with 40-plus years of representing victims of police abuse, including representing Rodney King in his case against Los Angeles Police officers. “The officers’ conduct shocks the conscience of all families needing assistance with developmentally disabled kids.”
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The family of Victor Perez, the disabled teen shot by Pocatello Police officers, has announced that his funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 15.
Services will begin at 3 PM at the Cornelson Funeral Home at 431 N 15th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho 83201. Victor’s family says the funeral is open for all to attend.
Continue Reading The Idaho Attorney General’s Office has agreed to review the investigative findings regarding the officer-involved shooting that led to the death of 17-year-old Victor Perez of Pocatello.
“As with all such matters, the Office of the Attorney General will conduct a thorough and impartial review once the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Taskforce completes its investigation,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Given the seriousness of the matter and the ongoing investigation, our office will not be making further public comment at this time.”
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Victor Perez, a 17-year-old with autism and cerebral palsy who was shot in a highly controversial officer-involved incident.
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“We’re going to get more answers tomorrow at the hospital, but we’re hoping for a miracle.” – Ana Vazquez, Victor’s aunt POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A Pocatello teen is fighting for his life, laying in a hospital bed connected to machines in a medically induced coma. This after being shot 9 times by police. If 17-year-old
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“We are addressing this matter with the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves and with the appropriate respect for the gravity of the situation,” said Blad. “The criminal, external, and internal investigations regarding the officer-involved shooting are underway, which is why we cannot answer questions out of concern of interfering with or compromising the investigation.”
Continue Reading Victor Perez, a Pocatello teen diagnosed with autism and cerebral palsy, remains in a medically induced coma after being shot 9 times in an officer-involved shooting on April 5.
Following the shooting, Perez’s extended family organized a fundraiser on his behalf, leading to an outpouring of support for the disabled teen.
In the 24 hours since the GoFundMe was organized, the campaign has already surpassed its initial goal of $6,000. As of 5:30 PM, Wednesday, the fundraiser has raised $6,724 toward supporting the Perez family.
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An autistic teen with physical handicaps continues to fight for his life after being shot nine times by Pocatello Police Officers over the weekend.
According to his family, 17-year-old Victor Perez is currently in a coma and hooked up to a ventilator. They say doctors are testing his brain function, but the 17-year-old has died twice and had to be revived.
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After surviving being shot nine times by Pocatello Police, loved ones of 17-year-old Victor Perez are hoping for a miracle.
According to family members, Victor Perez is still in critical condition at the Portneuf Regional Medical Center after undergoing three surgeries, including a leg amputation. They say these surgeries are just the latest in a series of tragedies that started on Saturday evening when the incident with police first happened.
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On Monday, the Pocatello Police Department held a press conference regarding Saturday’s officer-involved shooting, which left a 17-year-old with autism, Victor Perez, in critical condition.
Pocatello Police Chief Roger Schei says they are aware of the videos on social media and the effect on the public but argues that the video only shows one angle of the full picture.
“In situations like this, officers must make decisions in seconds. They assess threats not just to themselves but to those nearby. In this case, two individuals were within a few feet of an armed, noncompliant individual. The risk was immediate, and the situation rapidly evolving,” said Schei.
Continue Reading An officer-involved shooting in Pocatello has ignited a firestorm of controversy, as people claim police brutality after a video surfaced online showing police shooting a teenager with a knife only seconds after they arrived on the scene.
As of 10 AM on April 7, the family of the autistic teen shooting victim said he is going into surgery again after having his left leg amputated over the weekend as a result of his injuries.
At approximately 5:22 PM, officers responded to a residence located in the 700 block of N. Harrison in reference to a reported physical disturbance involving two male subjects and a female.
Continue Reading Even though they were wishing for a miracle, a Pocatello family received devastating news from doctors about 17-year-old Victor Perez on Friday.
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