Teen With Autism Fatally Shot After Sheriff’s Officers Called To California Home

A 15-year-old California boy who appeared to be dealing with a mental health crisis was killed when deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call from his parents on Saturday.
The parents of Ryan Gainer, a teen with autism, called the Apple Valley division of the sheriff’s department and asked authorities to “take him in” after an altercation in the home, according to the Los Angeles Times. Instead, the teen was shot after charging a deputy “armed with an approximate five-foot-long garden tool, with a sharp bladed end,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
The incident began when Gainer’s parents told him he couldn’t use his video game console or computer until after he finished his chores. When he became upset and started hitting his sister and breaking glass at the Apple Valley home, his parents called the sheriff’s office, the L.A. Times said.
The sheriff’s department said that Gainer, “without provocation,” confronted and chased the first deputy while wielding the tool.
“The deputy retreated and Gainer chased the deputy in an attempt to assault him with the bladed end of the tool. A lethal force encounter occurred, and Gainer was struck by gunfire,” according to the news release.
Gainer died after being taken to a hospital, the news release said.
According to bodycam video released by NBC News, one of the deputies first saw Gainer running toward him at the door while holding the tool, and the deputy yelled at Gainer, “Hey, get back.”
“Get back or you’re gonna get shot!” the deputy is heard shouting as he tries to back away.
Gainer was shot three times by at least one of the deputies involved, according to the Los Angeles Times. His death has renewed discussions about finding better alternatives for law enforcement officers who respond to mental health crises, according to the Times.
“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,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement to multiple news outlets.
“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,” Dicus said.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and Gainer’s family attorney did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That’s why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we’ll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can’t find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.