Ryan Gainer: Chilling bodycam shows autistic boy brandishing bladed gardening tool before being shot
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
APPLEY VALLEY, CALIFORNIA: Ryan Gainer, a 15-year-old autistic boy, lost his life after being shot by police in Apple Valley, California.
Harrowing bodycam footage captured the haunting moments when Gainer, armed with a bladed gardening tool, ran towards deputies on Saturday, March 9, in San Bernardino County.
Timeline of Ryan Gainer's tragic shooting
Responding to a distressing 911 call reporting family assault and property damage, police arrived at Gainer's home. The official report details that upon their arrival, the teen charged at the officers with a five-foot-long gardening tool, prompting a deputy to issue a warning, "Hey get back! Get back or you're gonna get shot," before opening fire.
The release from authorities 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."
Despite officers providing medical aid until paramedics arrived, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Thankfully, no deputies were injured during the incident.
Questions arise about the use of deadly force in shooting of autistic teen
The 911 call, made by Gainer's sister, painted a disturbing picture of the family disturbance, with reports of assaults on siblings, attempts to break windows and doors, and his volatile behavior.
A civil rights lawyer representing the family, DeWitt Lacy, raised questions "as to whether it was appropriate to use deadly force against a 15-year-old autistic kid who was having an episode," per Daily Mail.
Lacy claimed that Gainer was hit with three bullets, including in his torso and abdomen, and accused deputies of delaying medical aid. "They have to give medical aid to this 15-year-old they just shot and it certainly seems they failed to do that," she said.
The family further alleged being forced to leave their home as law enforcement "rummaged through their house looking for any justification for shooting and killing Ryan."
In response to the tragic incident, Sheriff Shannon Dicus said, "Our social safety net for those experiencing mental illness needs to be strengthened."
"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. Rapidly evolving, violent encounters are some of the most difficult, requiring split second decisions. While these decisions are lawful, they are awful in terms of our humanity. I feel for both Ryan's family and my deputies who will struggle with this for their entire lives."
