Autism training is held

SANDPOINT — An agitated teenager was fatally shot when he allegedly attacked police with a 12-inch kitchen knife after officers responded to reports of a domestic disturbance Wednesday.

Officers later learned that the youth was autistic, and was prone to become increasingly agitated by colored lights like those on police cruisers.

But not really: the above story is complete fiction. No one was shot, no calls about a knife wielding youth were phoned into 911.

But such an incident, and a host of other scenarios, can happen to people with autism, who can be easily mistaken as someone or something they aren’t.

For the rest of the story, see the print edition of the Bonner County Daily Bee or subscribe to our e-edition.