Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAxeel Melendez, 24, is suing Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, 13 deputies and other county officials for $176 million after being shot and paralyzed by officers responding to a fake emergency call. Melendez claims deputies exhibited "rash decision-making" when they shot him at his home, resulting in a complete spinal cord injury and a broken leg. The incident followed a false 311 call from someone impersonating Melendez, alleging his father had shot his sister, despite Melendez having previously warned the department about hackers threatening to make such reports. The lawsuit alleges deputies ignored multiple signs that the call was fake, including inconsistent details, the absence of typical background sounds, and a Wisconsin phone number, and entered the home without attempting to contact Melendez. Sheriff Nanos, named in the lawsuit, is also currently overseeing the criticized investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie. In fullSheriff in Nancy Guthrie disappearance facing $176M lawsuit alleging incompetence in separate caseMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Sheriff in Nancy Guthrie case faces $176M lawsuit over man shot by deputies
Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAxeel Melendez, 24, is suing Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, 13 deputies and other county officials for $176 million after being shot and paralyzed by officers responding to a fake emergency call. Melendez claims deputies exhibited "rash decision-making" when they shot him at his home, resulting in a complete spinal cord injury and a broken leg. The incident followed a false 311 call from someone impersonating Melendez, alleging his father had shot his sister, despite Melendez having previously warned the department about hackers threatening to make such reports. The lawsuit alleges deputies ignored multiple signs that the call was fake, including inconsistent details, the absence of typical background sounds, and a Wisconsin phone number, and entered the home without attempting to contact Melendez. Sheriff Nanos, named in the lawsuit, is also currently overseeing the criticized investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today anchor Savannah Guthrie. In fullSheriff in Nancy Guthrie disappearance facing $176M lawsuit alleging incompetence in separate caseMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
