A 13-year-old autistic boy was shot several times by police in Utah during a "mental episode" after his mother called for help.
Linden Cameron remains in hospital in Salt Lake City with injuries to his shoulder, ankles, intestines and bladder, his mother, Golda Barton, said.
Ms Barton told KUTV she was the one who called police and asked for a crisis intervention team to attend the house.
She said her son was having a mental breakdown.
"So, you call them, and they're supposed to come out and be able to deescalate a situation using the most minimal force possible," she said.
"I said, he's unarmed, he doesn't have anything, he just gets mad and he starts yelling and screaming. He's a kid, he's trying to get attention, he doesn't know how to regulate."
But, after being told to stay away while two officers entered the home, Ms Barton heard "get down on the ground" and several gunshots fired.
Ms Barton said she thought her son was dead and officers did not immediately tell her what condition he was in.
She claims officers handcuffed him.
According to Ms Barton, an officer was heard saying: "He's just a child, what are you doing?"
Visibly distressed during the interview with KUTV, Ms Barton said: "He's a small child. Why didn't you just tackle him? He's a baby. He has mental issues."
Police said an independent investigation has been launched into the incident.
Sgt Keith Horrocks, from Salt Lake City Police Department, said officers were called to the area to a report of a "violent psych issue" involving a child "having a mental episode" and "making threats to some folks with a weapon".
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement to KUTV: "While the full details of this incident are yet to be released as an investigation takes place, I will say that I am thankful this young boy is alive and no one else was injured.
"No matter the circumstances, what happened on Friday night is a tragedy and I expect this investigation to be handled swiftly and transparently for the sake of everyone involved."
