Pocatello auto shop to hold fundraiser ride for family of Victor Perez on Saturday

POCATELLO – The owner of a local auto repair shop is holding a motorcycle rally to raise funds for a family that recently lost a son.

The fundraiser will be held on Saturday, where both motorcyclists and people driving cars will meet at C & G Sales and Service at 3590 South 5th Avenue and drive through Pocatello and Chubbuck. All proceeds raised from the ride will go to the family of Victor Perez. Victor died a week after being shot multiple times by Pocatello Police officers.

“It’s not about what people’s opinions are. This ain’t an opinion, debate type of thing. Let’s just get the community together and have a place that’s not filled with anger … and support the Perez family,” said Adam Gerard, owner of C & G Sales and Service.

Perez, who had cerebral palsy and autism, was shot multiple times by three police officers, and once with a beanbag round by a fourth officer, while he was holding a knife on April 5. He died on April 12 after receiving multiple surgeries, including a leg amputation.

Gerard began organizing this fundraiser ride while Perez was still hospitalized, after he was approached by some of his friends who were close to the family, he told EastIdahoNews.com. Riders will take a route that will go past the house where Victor lived, and Gerard hopes that his family sees the community’s support.

The drive will take Chubbuck and Yellostone roads. Click here for more information on the route.

“The family needs to see the support, and I think this is a good way to show the support to the family — that we’re here,” Gerard said.

People wishing to participate in the ride, whether in a motorcycle, car or truck, should arrive at C & G Sales and Service at 10 a.m. to pay $10 a person and get lined up. The ride begins at 11 a.m.

People finishing the ride and anyone else who would like to attend will then be able to eat hamburgers, hotdogs and a variety of sides at a barbecue at the auto repair shop, where the ride ends. The barbecue starts at noon and will cost $5 per plate, and it will be $5 per ticket or $20 for five tickets to participate in a raffle drawing.

Gerard hopes people will show up to raise money for the Perez family to help them through this difficult time.

“Who knows if they have medical bills? Who knows if they still have a funeral expense, or anything else like that? None of us know, so my end goal is, let’s try to help them do this,” Gerard said.