Family Demands Justice After 25-Year-Old Son with Autism Shot

A family in California is demanding justice after their child was shot by police after calling for assistance.

Isias Cervantes is currently in hospital with a serious spinal cord injury after being shot by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s agent in his home. The family lawyer says that me Cervantes may never be able to walk again.

The story began when Rosa Padilla sought help from her son. After responding to the home, LASD claims that Cervantes attacked one of their agents, gouging at his eyes while also trying to reach for his weapon. It was during the struggle, that responding officers opened fire.

The story while new, is eerily similar to many others. Family members call for assistance from law enforcement, only for the situation to become deadly serious.

Cervantes mother, who initially called police claims that her son wasn’t a threat and was shot in the back while on the floor of the living room.

“Within three minutes of calling to help young Isias and his family, he was shot from behind on the floor in his living room,” said lawyer Austin Dub.

This shooting, which follows similar shootings worldwide, highlights the need for law enforcement personnel to receive additional training when dealing with people on the autism spectrum, and also people with mental health conditions.

Many people around the world are calling on law enforcement personnel to receive special training to help deescalate situations which involve people with special needs. Many of these violent family situations could have been prevented if responding officers had received professional training in how to respond to people with special needs.

“What happened to him should not have happened. She went and told the deputies repeatedly that he suffered from autism, he was hard of hearing,” attorney Christian Contreras said at a vigil in Lynwood Friday evening.