Justice for Ryan Gainer: A Tragic, Avoidable Loss That Demands Accountability
On the night of March 9, 2024, a heartbreaking and unjust tragedy occurred in Apple Valley, California. A 15-year-old autistic boy named Ryan Gainer lost his life after a violent and unnecessary encounter with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. The community, his family, and advocates across the country are demanding justice and accountability for a life taken far too soon.
Ryan Gainer was a promising young man who had dreams and passions that extended far beyond the struggles he faced. A student at Apple Valley High School, Ryan excelled in academics and athletics. He ran track and had a deep fascination with robotics, aiming to become an engineer. His intelligence, creativity, and compassion were evident to everyone who knew him. Despite his autism, Ryan thrived when given the opportunity to engage with his interests and contribute to his community. 
Ryan was more than just a talented student—he was also a devoted son and brother. His father, Mr. Norman Gainer, has shared videos that reveal just how dedicated Ryan was to his family and community. Mr. Gainer sent me one particular video that left me furious and heartbroken. It shows the horrific aftermath of the night Ryan was killed. It’s an image that should never exist—a grieving mother, Ms. Sharon Gainer, being treated with outright cruelty by the very people sworn to protect and serve.
According to Ryan’s family, the events of that night began with a mental health episode. Mrs. Gainer, concerned for her son’s well-being, called 911 for help. Ryan’s father, Mr. Gainer, was able to calm him down, and the situation had de-escalated. Tragically, this moment of calm was shattered when San Bernardino Sheriff’s Deputies arrived at their home. Within seconds of encountering Ryan, they shot and killed him. Ryan was unarmed, alone, and in desperate need of help—not violence.
To make matters worse, the deputies not only killed Ryan but then treated his grieving family with unthinkable cruelty. In the aftermath, Ms. Sharon Gainer, who has recently suffered medical conditions that have left half her body paralyzed, was carried out of her own home by deputies as though she were nothing more than furniture. The absolute lack of humanity displayed in that moment is sickening.
Instead of offering aid, compassion, or even a shred of basic decency, the deputies arrested both Mrs. Gainer and Ryan’s older sister, Rachel. They were detained for hours at the station without cause or justification. It was torture—plain and simple. A family was shattered, and rather than showing any understanding or remorse, the deputies doubled down on their cruelty.
Ryan Gainer should be alive today. He should be waking up with his family, going to school, playing with his dog Maya and cat Nicole, and dreaming about his future. Instead, his family is now facing the unimaginable task of planning his funeral.
This is beyond any parent’s worst nightmare, and it demands immediate accountability.
Who Was Ryan Gainer?
We must remember who Ryan Gainer was—not just as a victim of police brutality but as a remarkable young man with an incredible spirit. His sister Rachel recently shared some beautiful memories about her brother, giving us all a glimpse into who Ryan was.
Ryan loved to help others. He participated in community projects like the afterschool program Millionaire Mind Kids, where he would help children learn robotics—his passion. Ryan also contributed to community clean-up efforts, adopting streets to clean trash and debris to help make his community a better place.
He loved gizmos, gadgets, electronics, dancing, and singing. Ryan’s passion for learning was endless, especially when it came to science and math. His favorite TV shows included Cash Cab, Wipe Out, American Ninja Warrior, Weakest Link, The Chase, Jeopardy, and Family Feud. He thrived on intellectual challenges, always striving to learn more and push his own limits.
Ryan had his favorite foods, like Twix, Reese’s, M&Ms, McDonald’s, In-N-Out, Hot Pockets, seaweed, octopus, mac and cheese, and Takis. His music taste varied from Maroon 5 to Linkin Park to instrumental pieces. He loved playing games like Spider games, UNO, educational games, and balloon pop.
Ryan adored his animals—Maya, the pharaoh hound dog, and Nicole, the cat. They were his companions, his friends, and he took pride in caring for them.
The world has been robbed of a kind, compassionate, and brilliant young man. A boy who wanted to change the world through his love for robotics and engineering. A boy who showed kindness to others and brought light into the lives of everyone he met.
The Demands for Justice
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department has remained shockingly silent about the details surrounding Ryan’s death. They have refused to release all body camera footage, failed to disclose the names of the deputies responsible, and provided no reasonable explanation for their extreme and deadly response to a child experiencing a mental health crisis.
Why were deputies dispatched to respond to a mental health call? Why did they resort to lethal force within seconds of arriving at the scene? And why were Ryan’s mother and sister detained and treated like criminals rather than grieving family members?
These questions deserve answers. The community deserves transparency. Most importantly, Ryan Gainer deserves justice.
The Gainer family, along with the AFTP Foundation (Always For The People), is calling for the immediate release of all body camera footage related to Ryan’s death. The deputies responsible for his unnecessary killing must be held accountable and prosecuted for their actions. This kind of brutality cannot continue.
Why won’t the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department release all the body camera footage? What are they hiding? The public deserves to see the truth. This is not just about justice for Ryan—this is about ensuring that no other family has to endure the unimaginable pain the Gainers are experiencing right now.
Mental Health and Policing Must Change
This tragedy also highlights the deep, systemic problem of police responding to mental health crises with violence. It’s a glaring failure of our society that calls for help are met with aggression instead of compassion and care. Ryan Gainer needed understanding and support—not bullets.
It’s clear we must stop sending armed officers to respond to mental health situations, especially when minors are involved. Trained mental health professionals should be the ones responding to calls like the one made for Ryan. The failure to recognize and implement this approach is costing lives.
Ryan Gainer Deserves Justice
Ryan Gainer should be alive today. Instead, his life was stolen by those sworn to protect him. The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department must be held accountable for their actions.
We cannot remain silent. We cannot allow this injustice to be swept under the rug. Ryan’s death demands accountability, transparency, and change. His family deserves answers. His community deserves justice. And Ryan deserves to be remembered as the brilliant, kind, and compassionate young man he was.
If you are reading this, please join the fight for justice for Ryan Gainer. Call the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department at 760-240-7400 (Press 4) and demand the release of all body camera footage. Demand the immediate termination and prosecution of the deputies responsible for Ryan’s death.
Justice for Ryan Gainer. He will never be forgotten.
