Tragic Incident: Teen with Autism Fatally Shot by California Deputies While Holding Gardening Tool
A heartbreaking incident unfolded as California sheriff’s deputies shot a teenager with autism who was innocently holding a gardening tool. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and a family attorney confirmed the tragic event that occurred over the weekend.
California sheriff’s deputies fatally shot a teenager with autism who was holding a gardening tool over the weekend, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and a family attorney.
The incident, described as “dramatic”, occurred at 15-year-old Ryan Gainer’s family home and had already settled down by the time authorities arrived, stated attorney DeWitt M. Lacy.
Deputies in Apple Valley received a 911 call at 4:48 p.m. PT on March 9 from Gainer’s family. They reported that he was assaulting family members and causing damage at the residence, as stated in a news release by the sheriff’s department on Sunday.
In the audio of the 911 call shared by the sheriff’s department, a woman is heard recounting the incident and mentioning an "assault and battery." She also mentioned that Gainer had broken a window.
The woman in the audio is heard saying, "They gotta take him in."
According to the release, at around 4:54 p.m., the first deputy reached the residence and encountered Gainer. Gainer was armed with a five-foot-long garden tool with a sharp blade. He raised the blade and charged towards the deputy, who attempted to move back, the release mentioned.
The deputy shot Gainer after the teen allegedly tried to assault the deputy, according to the release. Deputies provided medical assistance at the scene before Gainer was transported to the hospital. Sadly, he later passed away due to his injuries, as mentioned in the release.
Authorities have released bodycam footage of the incident.
Bodycam footage released by the sheriff’s department on Wednesday captured a deputy approaching the entrance of a home. In the video, Gainer is seen holding a frying pan and a gardening tool, according to authorities. The deputy can be heard warning, “Hey, get back. You’re going to get shot!”
In another bodycam video from a different deputy who responded to the scene, Gainer is shown running towards the first deputy while the deputy aims his gun at the teenager as he flees. A preliminary investigation revealed that both deputies discharged their weapons, with a total of three shots fired, as stated by San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus during a press briefing on Wednesday.
After Gainer was shot, family members could be heard yelling in the background of the videos.
One family member asked, "Why’d you shoot my baby?" while deputies asked loved ones to back up. Another questioned why a taser wasn't used instead.
Deputies were seen in the video helping Gainer before the fire department got there.
Dicus mentioned that deputies had been to the house five times before and had taken Gainer to a mental health facility in the past. He also mentioned that there was no use of force in previous interactions with the teen.
It is not clear if the deputies who responded were aware of any previous interactions law enforcement had with the teen, according to Dicus. Although he did not specifically mention Gainer's autism diagnosis, he did hint at his mental health background during the press briefing.
Carol Stream Police Department
video
Related video
Bodycam footage shows fatal police shooting of Isaac Goodlow
Law enforcement should not be the ones dealing with these crises when individuals have been directed to social services for their mental health needs," Dicus stated, expanding on his previous social media post.
Dicus mentioned that only moments had passed when the first deputy arrived and Gainer was shot.
"We need to consider that even with top-notch healthcare and the best psychologists available, there are no magic words in certain situations. Law enforcement officers are trained to intervene in threats and violence," he explained.
"It's truly a tragedy."
Gainer had become upset because he wasn't allowed to listen to music on his laptop, something he really liked doing, according to Lacy, the family attorney speaking to CNN. He had been instructed to complete his chores before indulging in his music, as mentioned by Lacy.
Lacy mentioned that while this kind of discipline may seem ordinary to most parents, it could trigger a more intense reaction from someone with autism.
Gainer hit his sister in the arm and then grabbed a gardening tool from the yard to break the glass on the front door, according to Lacy.
During the incident, a family member dialed 911, but Gainer eventually calmed down, said sorry, and admitted to hurting himself.
A cousin who was present at the home contacted the authorities and assured them that the situation was under control, according to Lacy.
Lacy stated that the deputy quickly pulled out his gun when he arrived at the scene. The attorney mentioned that the deputy's actions made the situation more tense and escalated the conflict.
Prince George's County Police Department
video
Related video
A man was shot and killed by a police officer in his own home. Lacy, a family member, mentioned that it is uncertain if authorities were informed that the man, Gainer, had autism. However, Lacy noted that at least two deputies who responded to the incident were somewhat familiar with him. CNN has reached out to the sheriff’s department to inquire about these statements.
Lacy mentioned that the family believed they had a connection with the individual due to some shared history.
According to Lacy, Gainer found solace in running whenever he faced challenging situations.
Lacy said he had dreams of becoming an engineer and grew up in a family that loved to have fun. He expressed sadness at the tragedy that befell them.
The sheriff emphasized that in situations like this, there are no winners or losers. He acknowledged that both Ryan's family and the deputy sheriffs involved will carry the memory of this event with them for the rest of their lives.
Editor's P/S:
The fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ryan Gainer by California sheriff's deputies is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for improved mental health crisis response. The deputies' quick escalation to lethal force, despite Gainer's autism diagnosis and the situation having already calmed down, raises serious questions about the adequacy of their training and the systemic biases that often result in disproportionate use of force against individuals with disabilities.
It is crucial that law enforcement officers are equipped with the skills and resources to de-escalate situations involving individuals with mental health challenges. Bodycam footage shows that Gainer was not posing an immediate threat to the deputies when he was shot. The use of a taser or other non-lethal options should have been considered to avoid this tragic outcome. It is imperative that we invest in comprehensive mental health services and crisis response teams to prevent such needless deaths and ensure the safety of both individuals in crisis and law enforcement officers. establish clear protocols for responding to mental health crises, emphasizing de-escalation and alternative intervention strategies. By working towards these improvements, we can prevent future tragedies and ensure that individuals with autism are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
