Harrowing body camera video shows a 15-year-old boy with autism shot and killed by a California sheriff’s deputy after he charged with a long-bladed garden tool.
The officer-involved shooting was reported Saturday just before 5 p.m. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Authorities say they received a 911 call about a domestic disturbance in Apple Valley.
The caller reported that 15-year-old Ryan Gaynor was attacking his sister and breaking the glass and doors of the family home.
The first deputy at the scene confronted the boy, who was carrying a 5-foot-long gardening tool with a “sharp end.”
Body camera video released by the agency shows Gaynor, wearing a teal jumpsuit and clutching tools in both hands, running out of the house and charging toward the deputy, who was pointing a gun at him. There is.
“Hey, get back! Get back or you’ll get shot!” the deputy yells.
“The deputy retreated and Gainer chased after him, attempting to attack the deputy with the tip of the tool,” officials said.
The sheriff’s department stressed that the boy attacked the deputy “without provocation.”
When Gaynor allegedly ignored the sheriff’s commands, the officer opened fire, striking him.
Gaynor was given first aid and taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
some neighbors told the Victorville Daily Press. Gaynor had autism and was well known in the community.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the shooting.
“We need to strengthen the social safety net for people living with mental illness,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement.
“Our deputies respond to seemingly insurmountable calls every day. Most of these calls do not turn violent. However, this incident was a tragedy for Ryan, his family, and the responding deputies. finished.”
The sheriff defended his actions, but said the decision to open fire was “humanely terrible.”
“Rapidly evolving violent encounters are some of the most difficult and require split-second decisions,” he said.
“My heart goes out to Ryan’s family and my representatives who will be dealing with this for the rest of their lives.”
