15 Year Old Autistic Child Fatally Shot by California Police Officers

CALIFORNIA— A 15-year-old autistic child was fatally shot by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies on Saturday. The Black child, Ryan Gainer, was suffering from a mental health crisis when family members called the sheriff’s department to assist.

When sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home, Gainer was holding a gardening tool with a sharp end. In edited body cam footage released by the department, Gainer approaches officers with the tool as an officer cautions him to “get back or you’re going to get shot.” Another officer can be seen pointing his gun at Gainer.
Gainer continues to approach.

It’s unclear, based on footage, how many shots were fired and by how many officers. However, Gainer was given medical attention and transported to the hospital, where he died.

Gainer’s family has hired legal representation in their search for justice and accountability for their child. “Once they typed up the address, it should have clearly shown this was somebody that had some mental health issues at times,” the family’s attorney stated. “They should have used deescalating techniques. I think the shots were inappropriate and uncalled for. Nobody’s life was within imminent danger.”

The attorney continued by insisting the officers “should have created time and distance and talked to Ryan using the skills they learned in the basic police academy.”

Gainer was cross country runner and hoped to, one day, become an engineer.