A 13-year-old Utah boy with autism was allegedly shot by police after he had a breakdown. Now, he is recovering in a hospital and was listed in serious condition.
Utah authorities are investigating the shooting that happened in the Salt Lake City area. The police said that they received a call on Friday night asking them to go to a Glendale home. The reports said that the boy, Linden Cameron, was holding a gun and threatened the people around him.
According to CNN, the boy fled, then the police chased him. Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Keith Horrocks shot him but they gave him first aid. The medical staff arrived and took the boy to a local hospital for treatment.
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Mom needed a crisis intervention team
Golda Barton, Cameron's mom, told KUTV-TV that her son has autism. She explained that she called the police because her child was having a breakdown. She needed a crisis intervention team.
Further, she told the police that her son was unarmed. She had also warned the authorities that her son did not know how to regulate his behavior, so she sought their help. It was Barton's first day at work because she could not be away from her son.
Mom explained to the officers how to deal with son
Barton explained that her son has bad separation anxiety. She told the officers on the phone the best way to approach her son. She said that Cameron would start yelling and screaming when he gets mad. She also said that her son was just a kid looking for attention but does not know how to control his feelings.
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Two officers have arrived and gone through their home's front door. After a few minutes, Barton heard an order to get on the ground, then many gunshots followed. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that there was no weapon found on Friday.
Barton thought that her son was dead, and the police did not tell her right away about her son's state. She said that they handcuffed her son. She even heard someone saying that Cameron was just a child, then asked them what they are doing.
Currently, Cameron is in the hospital recovering. Barton said that her son had serious injuries in his shoulder, ankles, intestines, and bladder.
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Late Sunday, Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake Mayor, said that the shooting was a tragedy. He has called in for a swift and transparent investigation. As required under a city ordinance, more details should be released within ten business days. After the police body camera footage is released, they will expect further reports.
