Man Seeks Millions After Being Shot by Police in Game-Related Swatting Incident
Axeel Melendez is suing Pima County for $176 million after deputies shot him during a false emergency call linked to a video game dispute. Despite warning authorities about potential swatting days prior, Melendez was left paralyzed when officers arrived with guns drawn. His legal team argues that the Sheriff's Department failed to follow proper protocols, turning a preventable tragedy into a life-altering event for a young man with no criminal history.
In the end, Axeel was the victim of nearly deadly incompetence performed by the very law enforcement agency that promised to protect him.