US police shoot 13-year-old autistic boy after mom asked for help

A concerned mother who called the police to help her calm her autistic son from an episode was horrified after officers shot her multiple times.

Golda Barton, from the small town of Glendale in the US state of Utah, was told by phone that police would dispatch a crisis intervention team to alleviate the situation using the least force possible.

She told local news that she only wanted her 13-year-old son, Linden, to be transported to the hospital for treatment.

It was the first day Barton had gone to work in almost a year because his son had a lot of separation anxiety.

When he returned from work, he realized that something was wrong with Linden. Then she began to have a nervous breakdown.

She told local news station KUTV that she spoke to officers about the best way to get closer to her son.

“I said, he’s unarmed, he doesn’t have anything, he just gets mad and starts screaming and yelling,” he said. “He’s a kid, he’s trying to get attention, he doesn’t know how to regulate.”

However, what happened when the police arrived could not be more different.

He said that in less than five minutes he heard “get on the ground” and then several shots.

At first, Barton thought his son was dead. He survived, but is in the hospital in serious condition.

According to a funding page created to raise funds for Linden’s treatment, the shooting left him in the hospital with injuries to his shoulder, ankles, bowels and bladder.

“The long-term effects of their injuries are still unknown, but their recovery is likely to be long and require multiple types of treatment,” it reads.

“Linden is 13 years old. She loves video games, off-roading and longboarding with her older brother, and building things. She is always looking for ways to help people. Linden is very important to her family, and her mother and brother are. supporting during his recovery. “

In a statement, police said officers were called to the area for a report of a “violent psychological problem” involving the minor “having a mental episode” and “threatening some people with a weapon.”

Linden’s mother told KUTV that she didn’t understand why the police didn’t just detain her son.

“He’s a little boy,” he said. “Why didn’t you attack him? He’s a baby. He has mental problems.”

Salt Lake Mayor Erin Mendenhall promises a swift and transparent investigation into the shooting.

“While the full details of this incident have not yet been released while an investigation is under way, I will say that I am grateful that this young man is alive and no one else was injured,” Mendenhall said in her statement.

“Regardless of the circumstances, what happened Friday night is a tragedy, and I hope this investigation is handled quickly and transparently for the good of all involved.”

Neurodiverse UT, which promotes acceptance of autism, issued a statement condemning the shooting.

“The police were called because help was needed, but they faced the situation with force, even after the child’s mother informed them of the situation,” said a spokesman.

“There are safer and non-violent methods that first responders can use to help a person in this situation.”

The incident is starting to gain attention on social media, where people have called the police tactics “ridiculous” and “horrible.”