An Arizona gamer who was left paralyzed from the chest down after law enforcement responded to a hoax emergency call at his home is preparing to sue local authorities for $176 million. Axeel Melendez, 24, along with his mother, filed a formal notice of claim against Pima County and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department—a mandatory initial legal step before filing a civil lawsuit against a government entity in the state of Arizona.
The claim alleges that law enforcement officers acted with extreme negligence and reckless disregard when they raided the family's home following a fake emergency report. Melendez's legal team emphasizes that the victim had proactively contacted emergency services 48 hours prior to the shooting to report that online extortionists were threatening to send armed police to his address.
Extortion and Swatting Threat Stems from 'Rust'
The tragic sequence of events began on April 8 while Melendez was playing the online multiplayer survival game Rust. According to the notice of claim, another player on the game's server asked to inspect Melendez's computer system under the guise of verifying that he was not using unauthorized cheats. Melendez agreed, but shortly afterward, he began receiving automated security alerts indicating that his personal accounts were being accessed without his permission.
The hackers successfully compromised his private email and personal information before launching an extortion scheme. The cybercriminals demanded money from Melendez and threatened that if he refused to pay, they would file a false report claiming he had planted a bomb. They also threatened to contact federal immigration authorities regarding his family, despite the fact that Melendez and his family members are native United States citizens.
Recognizing the immediate danger of swatting—a harassment tactic where perpetrators file fraudulent reports of violent active crimes to trigger a heavy, armed police response at a target's location—Melendez promptly dialed 911 to alert local law enforcement.
Dispatchers Dismissed Initial Warnings
Audio recordings of the initial emergency call obtained by local media show that Melendez explicitly explained the online extortion and swatting threats to the 911 operator. However, the dispatcher dismissed his concerns and assured him that emergency personnel would not respond blindly to an unverified report.
The dispatcher informed Melendez, "But they can't just call SWAT on you. That's not how that works," adding, "Nothing's going to happen."
Less than two days after Melendez made the precautionary report, an unidentified individual called local emergency services claiming to be Melendez. The caller falsely claimed that his father had shot his sister inside their residence.
The legal filing points out several critical warning signs that should have alerted dispatchers to a fraudulent report. The caller contacted authorities using Tucson's non-emergency 311 service rather than dialing 911, used an invalid out-of-state phone number, and provided highly inconsistent details. In addition, radio logs reveal that at least one responding deputy voiced concern over the radio that the call might be a swatting attempt before arriving on scene.
Tragic Police Response and Paralyzing Injuries
Despite internal suspicions, deputies arrived at the Melendez residence and began searching the exterior. Officers attempted to open the doors before using a shovel to smash through Melendez's bedroom window. Awakened by the sudden shattered glass and commotion, Melendez believed violent intruders were breaking into his home. In response, he retrieved his mother's legally registered handgun for self-defense.
When deputies peered into the broken window and encountered Melendez holding the firearm, they opened fire. Officers discharged eight rounds into the room, hitting Melendez twice. The gunfire shattered his leg, broke several ribs, and severed his spinal cord. The physical damage left Melendez permanently paralyzed from the chest down.
"He did everything he was supposed to do," said Dev Sethi, the attorney representing Melendez. Sethi noted that his client took all responsible steps to inform law enforcement of the threat in advance, but operational failures within the department resulted in a life-altering tragedy.
Widespread Danger of Online Swatting
Swatting remains a growing crisis across the online gaming and live-streaming communities. High-profile content creators, professional esports competitors, and everyday gamers have frequently been targeted by bad actors seeking to leverage law enforcement as a weapon of harassment.
When asked about the $176 million legal claim and the details of the shooting, representatives for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment, citing ongoing and pending litigation.
The notice of claim seeks damages for past and future medical expenses, permanent physical disability, ongoing rehabilitation costs, lost earning potential, and profound emotional distress. The case is expected to proceed to a formal civil lawsuit in Arizona court if a settlement is not reached during the statutory claim period.