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An Idaho teenager with autism and physical disabilities is fighting for his life after he was shot by police nine times, his family said.
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The 17-year-old boy, who has not been identified publicly, was shot by cops who were responding to a report of a “physical disturbance involving two male subjects and a female” on Saturday, according to the Pocatello Police Department.
During the incident, officers shot one of the males who was armed with a knife, the department said.
Video captured by an eyewitness shows the boy rolling on the ground and waving what police say was a knife at a woman believed to be his mother, KMVT reported.
The video shows four police officers running up to a fence and quickly drawing their weapons while shouting for the teenager to “get on the ground.”
Police fired after the teen stood up, the footage shows.
Life-saving measures were immediately performed on the boy, authorities say.
“He was having a really bad day with mental issues, but he wasn’t chasing anybody, and everybody could easily get out of the reach of his knife,” witness Brad Andres told the outlet.
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“So this wasn’t a really dangerous situation, and the police were more called to come in and help the family de-escalate and get it under control.”
The boy’s aunt Ana Vazquez added: “He was not going after police. He (has an) impairment. He can barely walk.”
The teen had to have one of his leg’s amputated following the shooting, the outlet reported.
He is currently in critical condition. No officers were injured.
Protesters rallied outside the Pocatello Police Department on Sunday in support of the teen.
“I can’t imagine anyone in the community trusting police after this,” one protester, Dylan Harrison, told KIVI.
“They, again, were called to help with a minor having a mental health episode in his front yard, and they put him on death’s door — he’s in the hospital fighting for his life.”
Pocatello police said they would respond once the investigation is complete.
“We respectfully ask for the public’s patience as the investigation unfolds,” the department said in a press release.
“In the meantime, we advise individuals to avoid the area while the investigation is ongoing. Further details will be provided as they become available.”
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