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Police response to fatal shooting of autistic teen raises concerns about treatment of individuals with mental health issues

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Ryan Gainer, a 15-year-old teen with autism, was a dedicated cross-country runner who found solace in six-mile runs and harbored dreams of becoming an engineer. However, a tragic incident on a Saturday afternoon shed light on the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues when interacting with law enforcement.

According to DeWitt Lacy, a civil rights attorney representing Ryan’s family, the teen became upset when his parents required him to complete household chores before indulging in his favorite activities such as playing video games or listening to music on his computer. Lacy noted that individuals with autism often experience heightened emotions, and on that fateful day, Ryan expressed his frustration by breaking glass on the front door.

Subsequently, a family member dialed 911 seeking help, stating that Ryan was breaking glass and causing distress to his sister. However, the response from law enforcement took a tragic turn when a responding deputy fatally shot Ryan, claiming that the teen had threatened him with a garden tool.

Ryan’s untimely death has sparked concerns among activists regarding law enforcement’s use of force against individuals with mental health issues and the inadequacy of supportive services available to families in crisis. This incident is not isolated, as previous cases such as the shooting of Tony Garza and Kenneth French have highlighted similar issues.

Zoe Gross, the advocacy director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, emphasized the importance of understanding the full context of encounters between law enforcement and individuals like Ryan to identify opportunities for de-escalation and better support mechanisms. Gross advocated for funding alternatives to traditional policing, such as dispatching specially trained EMTs and bolstering community services to address crises effectively.

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Lacy, representing the Gainer family, criticized the response from the sheriff’s department, highlighting the lack of de-escalation techniques and inappropriate use of force in Ryan’s case. He argued that officers should have utilized their training to create distance, communicate effectively, and resolve the situation without resorting to violence.

The circumstances leading to Ryan’s death remain under scrutiny, with calls for the release of full video footage, 911 calls, and communication records to shed light on the incident. The sheriff’s department’s decision to only disclose a portion of the footage has been criticized by civil rights attorney Areva Martin, who raised concerns about the handling of vulnerable individuals in distress by law enforcement.

In response to public outcry, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus acknowledged the need to strengthen support for those experiencing mental health crises and expressed condolences for the tragic outcome. However, discrepancies regarding the immediate medical aid provided to Ryan post-shooting have surfaced, with conflicting reports on the timeline and the cause of the teen’s death.

The case of Ryan Gainer underscores the urgent need for improved training, communication, and support systems for individuals with mental health issues to prevent such devastating outcomes in the future. As the community mourns the loss of a promising young life, the quest for accountability, transparency, and reform in law enforcement practices remains paramount.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.