POCATELLO — A somber scene played out Tuesday afternoon at Cornelison Funeral Home in Pocatello as family, friends and other community members bid farewell to 17-year-old Victor Perez.

Victor, who had autism and cerebral palsy, died Saturday at Portneuf Medical Center after being shot by Pocatello police on April 5 during an incident that has gained national media attention after it was caught on multiple videos by witnesses.

Victor was declared clinically brain dead on Friday and was taken off life support on Saturday, passing away a short time later. His death did not go unnoticed as hundreds of local residents attended a candlelight prayer vigil at PMC and protest at City Hall on Saturday.

About 60 people attended Victor’s Tuesday funeral at Cornelison, including relatives who journeyed from Puerto Rico to pay final respects to him and lend comfort to his immediate family in Pocatello.

Many others at the funeral did not even know Victor but attended to show their support to his grief-stricken family.

The funeral service began with Ana Vazquez, Victor’s aunt, welcoming everyone as she tried to hold back her tears.

There were many hugs and kind words for Victor’s family from those in attendance, some of whom wore “Justice for Victor” T-shirts.

Dozens stood and approached the blue casket, Victor’s favorite color, to pay their respects while members of Victor’s family cried as they became overwhelmed by grief.

The service then proceeded with a celebration of life where people were invited to share positive memories and stories of Victor. Many of Victor’s former teachers spoke, commenting on the positive effect he left on them and those around him and how the other students feel his absence.

Dozens of community members also spoke, affirming their support for Victor’s family and offering condolences and words of peace.

Victor’s mother Wanda Alicea also took the podium with her daughter and one of Victor’s aunts, who helped translate Alicea’s Spanish to English.

Wanda shared many of Victor’s favorite things, including how he loved to play in water, eat candy as well as Mexican and Puerto Rican food, and watch Mexican wrestling and other fighting sports.

The message from Victor’s family was that everyone needs to learn how to work with people with disabilities like Victor and have empathy for them. Victor’s family also thanked all those who attended his funeral even though they didn’t know him.

One of the final speakers at the service was Vazquez, who spoke to the impact that Victor’s death has had on the family and their dedication to his lasting memory.

“Today we say goodbye to a son, to a nephew, to a grandson, to a friend, to a student, a sibling,” Vazquez said. “He’ll be in heaven with the angels because that’s what he is — an angel. It’s gonna be difficult. Our life is not gonna be the same, but we have to move on. Thank you everybody for being here. Whoever is watching this on social media online, thank you again for all the support. That means a lot for us. But they took a kid out of our life and we’re going to miss him. Rest in peace my angel.”