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.
- getstowly
I don't understand why more police agencies aren't being super careful with this stuff, especially if they're being sent to a house / location where no other crimes have been reported. It would be one thing if you have a call to a house that's had domestic violence calls, other shootings, etc. Instead, they're just getting a call and thinking, "Oh no! Danger!" and running in, guns blazing. I love the protection from the police but sometimes I'm afraid they don't think intelligently and instead just react.
- efnx
They need to get sued _hard_ and lose millions, as well as have cops put in jail before real change happens. I feel sorry for this kid but he's doing the right thing.
- kaikai
There needs to be insurance for police, just like there is for doctors. Once an individual cop has repeated judgements against them they won’t be insurable, instead of the current result of them moving to a different city.
- SlowFalcon
This happened to me in 2021 minus the being shot part. Called local PD to inform them; still had a full police response, luckily was renovating house but still.
- keeganpoppen
whoa. feel bad for the people of tuscon, because they didn't do anything wrong, but holy shit this case looks absolutely awful for the city and i hope they lose. big.
- giancarlostoro
Police agencies arent the only ones alone to take blame here, the judges who on a whim sign these warrants should face liability or be removed from their position if there are casualties as a result of a false report.
- tokai
It really seems like something that could be fixed with proper training and protocol, when police forces the world over don't have this issue.
- 6stringmerc
While I was incarcerated on a bogus Felony charge, a Corrections Officer made a false report to a neighboring Police Department that I had been “bragging about Swatting people” in that city. Totally false claim. Got a visit from Detectives while in my cell. They recorded the whole thing.
The Thin Blue Line is real. I’ve moved on with my life. Mostly because there’s no way to hold them accountable so why try?