Bodycam video in death of teen with autism released

Authorities have released a 911 recording and bodycam footage that provide more information about the fatal shooting of a California teen with autism.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff ’s Department arrived at the family’s home around 4:50 p.m. on March 10 after receiving a report that Ryan Gainer, 15, was assaulting family members and damaging their property.

When officers arrived, Gainer ran toward them holding a 5-foot-long bladed garden tool. At that point, authorities shot him, police said.

The 911 recording was obtained by the Victorville Daily Press, part of the USA TODAY Network.

On the recording, a man yells in the background as the caller tells dispatchers that an African American with a “teal jumpsuit” is assaulting a family member. The caller says the suspect broke a window and was holding glass in his hand.

“They need to, got to take him in. They got to,” the caller said. The caller did not say that Gainer was autistic.

Deputy-worn camera footage shows a deputy approaching the open front door of the home. Gainer, holding the garden tool, runs toward the deputy.

A deputy tells Gainer, “Get back or you’re going to get shot.”

Raising the bladed end of the tool, Gainer continues toward the deputy. The deputy retreats and issues more warnings, the video shows. The deputy then opens fire and hits Gainer.

Deputies treated Gainer’s wound until paramedics arrived. Gainer was then rushed to a local hospital where he later died.

Gainer attended high school in Apple Valley, according to a district spokeswoman.

Friend and classmate Joseph Perez said he was shocked. “It’s heartbreaking. I’ll miss him forever,” he said.

“He was a very, very curious dude. Very good-hearted. He loved his friends, too. We all loved him dearly,” he said. “He was smart, kind and very good to us, his peers.”

“Autism makes the world almost magnified in a way,” he continued. “I would’ve hoped they knew he had autism because I’m almost absolutely certain this would have turned out differently.”

The family’s attorney, DeWitt Lacy, told CNN that at least two officers who responded to the scene were indeed familiar with Gainer.

The San Bernardino Police Department told USA TODAY that it is investigating the relationship between Gainer and the officers.

Lacy also said a cousin of Gainer who was at the home called authorities and told them the situation was under control after the initial call was placed, CNN reported.

San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus issued a statement Sunday.

“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,” Dicus said in the statement. “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.”

Brian Day and Rene Ray De La Cruz are Victorville Daily Press reporters; Ahjané Forbes is a USA TODAY reporter.

USA TODAY NETWORK

Friend and classmate