Ryan Gainer, a 15-year-old California autistic teen, was shot and killed by an officer last Saturday, March 9, after charging at a deputy with a sharp gardening tool. A 911 call was placed just before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. The call stated that Gainer was “actively assaulting family members” and causing property damage at a home in Apple Valley’s 13400 block of Iroquois Road.
The call was made by Gainer’s sister. During the call, she reported that her brother was assaulting one of their sisters and attempting to shatter a window and door. There was more yelling in the background, and the sister said, “They gotta take him in.”
Furthermore, the 911 conversation lasted approximately five minutes, during which time the sister stated that her other relatives were attempting to flee Gainer. She went on to claim, “He’s talking to my father right now.” Furthermore, the sister stated the teen declared he was going to “run away.” Only to then returned to the house. At which time, the sister claimed that he had a piece of glass.
Fatal Shooting
The first deputy who responded to the call said that when he arrived at the location, Gainer charged at him with the garden tool. The report stated:
Without provocation, Gainer raised the bladed end of the tool and ran toward the deputy. The deputy retreated, and Gainer chased the deputy in an attempt to assault him with the bladed end of the tool.
Authorities claim that is when deputies fatally shot the teen. In fact, the sheriff’s department has produced body camera footage. Show the adolescent charging at the sheriff, wielding a sharp gardening tool on a five-foot pole. The deputy drew his revolver and said, “Get back!” Then he tries to pull away, saying, “Get back or you’ll be shot.”
The deputy can be seen attempting to retreat. However, instead of sprinting, he walks backwards while pointing his gun back at Gainer. A second body cam footage from another sheriff captures the first deputy’s verbal warning to Gainer. The video that has been made public ends with the second deputy’s gun pointed at Gainer. The sheriff’s department-edited clip stops there, showing no guns fired.
Lack of information
A police official said it will not release full body-camera footage on Monday. They also declined to specify where Gainer was hit, how many shots were fired, or whether multiple deputies shot him. The spokesperson also declined to identify the deputies on the scene, saying the situation was still being investigated.
According to DeWitt Lacy, a civil rights lawyer for the family, Gainer was potentially shot three times, including in the torso and abdomen. He expressed worry that the department had declined to provide film from the final minutes of the incident and the aftermath.
We understand the gamesmanship that is involved when municipalities err and kill people unnecessarily.
Additionally, Lacy stated that the family had complained about a delay on the part of the deputies in aiding Gainer. He said:
They have to give medical aid to this 15-year-old they just shot and it certainly seems they failed to do that.
However, prior to the arrival of paramedics, deputies “quickly rendered medical aid,” according to the sheriff’s department’s initial news release. According to Lacy, the family also claimed that they were ejected from the house after the murder as the police “rummaged through their house looking for any justification for shooting and killing Ryan.”
Deputies Department Take on the Situation
Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement:
Our deputies handle seemingly insurmountable calls daily. Most of these calls do not end in violence. However, this one ended in tragedy for Ryan, his family, and for the deputies who responded.
Sheriff also mentioned how hard decisions required split second decisions. Despite the decisions of shooting and killing someone is lawful it still does not make it an awful and hard one. She feels for both the family of the victim and the deputies who answer the call and will have to suffer with the decisions they made their whole lives.
Feelings of Anger
Notwithstanding the aforementioned claims and the deputies’ admission of guilt about the choice made. Many people are upset with the sheriff’s office because they think the entire thing could have been handled much differently, possibly even averting the terrible outcome. For instance a stunt gun could have been use in replace of a real gun. Plus Gainer was an autistic teen who was experiencing an episode but did not deserve to die.
Others don’t think the sheriff’s office is credible because a lot of information is also lacking. For example, neither the fact that Gainer was autistic nor even if they were aware of this knowledge has been revealed. “The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is not telling the whole truth,” claims the family’s lawyer. Ryan Gainer’s murder should be looked into, and these officers should most likely face charges.
Written By Nohemi Sanchez
Sources:
KTLA 5: California teen shot, killed by deputies had autism, family says
The Guardian: California officer shoots and kills boy, 15, holding gardening tool
NBS NEWS: Bodycam video shows fatal shooting of autistic California teen who charged deputy with garden tool
Featured Image Courtesy of Joey Zanottl Flicker Page – Creative Common License
Inset Image Courtesy of C. Kelly Roberts Flickr Page – Creative Common License
