POCATELLO For the first time, the grandfather of a youngster who was shot by police officers several times and died spoke in public eight blocks from the scene.
At a news conference on Thursday night after a civil case was formally filed, Victor Perez’s grandfather and guardian, Luis Alicea, spoke in Spanish and had a translator translate his remarks. A federal lawsuit against the Pocatello Police Department for allegedly violating Perez’s civil rights has begun.
Since this is a person who was murdered in his own house, he would want that justice be served as quickly as possible. Alicea stated, through a translator, that justice must be done because he was not an animal.
Additionally, on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a Truth and Reconciliation Conference will take place in the Little Wood Room of the Idaho State University Pond Student Union Building.
Because of the current legal proceedings, the city of Pocatello had previously refrained from commenting on Victor Perez’s passing. After the inquiry is finished, the Eastern Idaho Critical Incident Task Force will submit its findings to Idaho Attorney General Ral Labrador for consideration.
Concerns about the Victor Perez shooting and any other community-related issues can be discussed at this conference. According to a press release from the firm that represents Perez and his family, Burris, Nisenbaum, Curry & Lacy (BNCL), the conference also aims to pair lawyers with residents and reservation members who require legal assistance.
On April 5, Victor Perez was in his backyard when he got up and walked toward four Pocatello Police officers brandishing their weapons. At least nine rounds were fired at Perez by the officers, who were positioned behind a fence, and one of them fired a shotgun beanbag round.
Perez, who was 17 years old when he passed away, has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and autism. After undergoing several operations and having his leg amputated, Perez passed just a week following the shooting.
He lacks the words to describe the shock and the trauma. This person belongs to their family. Alicea revealed through a translator that his grandson was killed in front of the family, in front of the door to his own house.
Perez’s rights were violated that day in early April, according to civil rights lawyer John Burris, who attended the conference via Zoom and has represented clients like Tupac Shakur and Rodney King.
Burris claimed that young Perez’s civil rights had been infringed. According to Burris, four Pocatello police officers shot and killed him in an incident that was obviously uncalled for, unjustifiable, and showed the use of excessive force.
At the press conference, Jennifer Call, a Pocatello-based practicing lawyer, gave her introduction. She clarified that she would be BNCL’s local counsel in the case and that she had gotten in touch with BNCL to inform them of her availability to work with them on it.
I was born and raised in Pocatello, and this is about obtaining justice for Victor Perez, his family, and our town as a whole, not about making money. “I stood up because what happened was shocking and it shocked my conscience,” Call stated.
Alicea also talked about the family’s struggles to find the right words to express the trauma caused by Perez’s gunshot and death.
He’s kind of at a loss since the memories and pictures of what happened just keep rushing back to him as soon as he begins to think of fresh ideas. Additionally, because everyone is upset, he occasionally has communication problems with the rest of his family. According to Alicea, who was translating, “his daughter is still in the house, but she keeps commenting and kind of dwelling on what happened, and it’s made a situation that turned their house into an unlivable place.”
This is not unusual. People go through this kind of suffering when they witness police officers acting in an absurd manner. Burris responded, “When a loved one is killed in front of them.”
More locals are coming to them with possible cases, according to James Cook, the lawyer from the firm that has been visiting Pocatello.
I realize it’s frustrating for folks, but we had to turn down a lot of them,” Cook added. We have a reservation that is really near by, though, and some folks have purchased some extremely severe instances, he added later.
Everyone was urged by the lawyers to attend the Truth and Reconciliation hearing on Saturday. According to Call, this lawsuit and others like it are how we change our police force and the community. They will not accomplish it alone.
Further coverage on Victor Perez
City records show officials’ bewilderment and annoyance following the shooting death of 17-year-old Victor Perez, who has autism.
Attorneys for the Victor Perez family will host two public Truth and Reconciliation meetings.
Residents tell the city council they are saddened by the shooting of Victor Perez.
Pocatello makes public the bodycam and security footage of the shooting of Victor Perez.
Victor Perez’s family sues Pocatello for wrongful death.
The inquiry into the police homicide of a disabled Pocatello adolescent will be reviewed by the attorney general.
Pocatello commemorates Victor Perez at his funeral; he is now in heaven with the angels.
GALLERY: To honor Victor Perez, hundreds take part in a protest and prayer vigil.
City: Police are present at the Pocatello demonstration due to a credible threat.
To honor Victor Perez and express disapproval of the police’s treatment of him, the Pocatello community comes together.
A candlelight vigil will be conducted before the life support system is disconnected for the police-shot boy who has been certified clinically brain dead.
As neighbors and police provide conflicting accounts of the shooting, a disabled Pocatello adolescent is in serious condition.
My entire focus is on this incident. The mayor of Pocatello reacts after a crippled teen is shot by police.
A GoFundMe page was created for the disabled teen who was shot by Pocatello police.
Put an end to Pocatello’s unfair brutality. Following several police shootings of a disabled teen, the community rallies.
protest after a shooting involving an officer; social media footage goes viral
Following an officer-involved shooting, one man was hospitalized.
