Nancy Guthrie investigators face $176M lawsuit after young man left ‘paralyzed’
As Nancy Guthrie’s presumed captors continue to elude investigators, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office sued for incompetence in a $176 million lawsuit.
Axeel Melendez alleged cops arrived at his home over an emergency call the youngerster claimed was fake and made by hackers, who demanded money and also stole his personal information while he was playing the online game Rust.
According to the 23-year-old, during the swatting incident, Pima County Sheriff’s deputies opened fire, leaving his spine and leg injured.
Per the Arizona Daily Star, which obtained the legal doc, the plaintiff named Sheriff Chris Nanos, 13 deputies, and other county officials.
In the documents, Melendez alleged to have been contacted about the threat by the hackers; however, a dispatcher told him, “They can’t just call SWAT on you. That’s not how that works. Nothing’s going to happen.”
Axeel Melendez
But less than 48 hours later, a similar incident took place, which the 23-year-old feared.
An unknown person allegedly impersonating Melendez called the emergency number and claimed his father had shot his sister.
In the wake of the lawsuit, meanwhile, Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said, “The incident is a ‘deeply complex case, and the analysis is underway.'”
