Justice for Ryan Gainer

 

Ryan Gainer, A 15 year old who was on the autism spectrum, lost his life on Saturday, March 9th 2024, after being shot an unknown number of times by an unnamed San Bernardino County Deputy in Apple Valley California. The incident unfolded during what has been described as a mental health crisis that Ryan was experiencing at the time. a mental health episode which included assaulting family members, and causing damage to property. Two San Bernardino Deputies responded to the call. Body cam footage captured the incident as one of the deputies entered the home asking about Ryan's whereabouts. Suddenly, Ryan emerged from around a corner, carrying what appeared to be a gardening tool. The deputy immediately pulled his gun out in response to Ryan approaching, with the tool raised. The officer then turned and ran away, with Ryan following. The body cam footage was stopped right before shots were fired, leaving the events that ultimately lead to Ryan's death unclear.

Following the shooting Ryan was rushed to the hospital and later, unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The Gainer family has since secured legal representation, while neighbors fondly remember Ryan as a sweet and quiet kid who would often exchange friendly waves with them.

The family's lawyer revealed that this wasn't the first time they called for assistance from the Sheriff's department regarding Ryan's mental health. They emphasized that previous

interactions had not resulted in violence and in fact officers were able to de-escalate the situation previously

Sheriff Shannon Dicus of San Bernardino County acknowledged the incident citing the need to strengthen the social safety net for those experiencing mental illness. "Our deputies handle seemingly insurmountable calls daily. Most of these calls do not end in violence. However, this one ended in tragedy for Ryan, his family, and for the deputies who responded," Dicus said."Rapidly evolving, violent encounters are some of the most difficult, requiring split second decisions," Dicus said. "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. The death of Ryan Gainer has sparked outrage across the country, with anti-police advocates and members of the autism community expressing their rightful anger and concerns via social media. This incident sheds light on the harsh realities of the lack of available assistance during mental health crises. Ryan

Gainer should still be alive.