Linden Cameron: Autistic boy shot multiple times by Utah police after mother called 911 for help
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: An autistic 13-year-old boy is fighting for his life after police allegedly shot him "several times" during a "mental episode."
A Salt Lake City police officer shot Linden Cameron in Glendale, Utah on Friday night, resulting in injuries to his shoulder, both ankles, intestines, and bladder, his mother Golda Barton told KUTV.
According to Barton, her son has Asperger syndrome -- a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum that hinders the ability to socialize and communicate effectively.
Barton called the police during one of Linden's mental breakdowns, requesting a crisis intervention team (CIT). She remembered telling the authorities her son was "unarmed" and that he simply "gets made" and "starts yelling and screaming."
"He's a kid, he's trying to get attention, he doesn't know how to regulate," she explained.
CIT was "supposed to come out and be able to de-escalate a situation using the most minimal force possible," Barton said. However, within five minutes of officers arriving at the scene, she heard the words, "Get down on the ground." That command was allegedly followed by several gunshots, she said.
The heartbroken mother questioned why police "didn't just tackle him" during an appearance on KUTV Sunday night. "He's a baby, he has mental issues," she said.
Salt Lake City Police Sergeant Keith Horrocks later revealed that officers were summoned for a reported "violent psych issue" involving a boy "having a mental episode" and "making threats to some folks with a weapon," per KUTV.
"During a short foot pursuit, an officer discharged his firearm and hit the subject," Horrocks added. Linden was subsequently rushed to hospital in critical condition.
The Salt Lake City PD is now conducting an officer-involved shooting investigation and anyone who may have been in the area or had relevant security footage is encouraged to contact the SLCPD at 801-799-3000.
“While the full details of this incident are yet to be released as an investigation takes place, I will say that I am thankful this young boy is alive and no one else was injured," Salt Lake Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement on Sunday. “No matter the circumstances, what happened on Friday night is a tragedy, and I expect this investigation to be handled swiftly and transparently for the sake of everyone involved.”
That said, a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering Linden's medical bills has raised more than $13,000 of its $50,000 goal at the time of writing.
The page describes the teenager as a gamer who loves to surf with his older brother.
"The long term effects of his injuries are still unknown, but it is likely that his recovery will be long and require multiple kinds of treatment," the GoFundMe reads. "The money from this fund will be used to pay for Linden’s hospital bills, physical therapy, and trauma healing for Linden, and also to assist his family as they move through his healing."
Linden "loves video games, four wheeling, and longboarding with his older brother, and building things. He is always looking for ways to help people out. Linden is very important to his family, and his mother and brother are supporting him through his recovery," the page adds.
