An Arizona man, Axeel Melendez, files a lawsuit alleging that Pima County Sheriff’s deputies opened fire after an alleged swatting call, leaving him partially paralyzed. According to the claims described by multiple outlets, Melendez says he contacted 911 to report a swatting threat before deputies arrived at his home and that his bedroom was the location where the shooting occurred. Melendez alleges the deputies’ use of force was not justified and that he suffered lasting injuries as a result. The lawsuit reportedly seeks $176 million in damages. The reporting identifies the alleged defendant as Nancy Guthrie, in her role connected to the sheriff’s department, and refers to the shooting by deputies as the incident at the center of the complaint.
The available summaries do not provide details on the evidence presented at the time of the shooting, the timeline of calls, or the department’s response. The case centers on Melendez’s account that the event followed a swatting-related 911 call and that the deputies’ actions caused his injuries.
