An Arizona man who says he was left partially paralysed by Pima County Sheriff's deputies during a "swatting" incident is seeking $176 million in damages from the sheriff's department. Axeel Melendez, 24, and his mother, Carmen Melendez, have filed a notice of claim against the Pima County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Chris Nanos, a formal step signalling their intent to pursue a lawsuit. The case draws attention to the risks posed by swatting hoaxes, in which false emergency reports prompt armed police responses to unsuspecting victims.

According to the claim, deputies opened fire during the incident, leaving Melendez with injuries that have left him partially paralysed. The filing was reported by Arizona news outlets, though further details on the exact circumstances of the shooting and the department's response have not been fully outlined in initial coverage. The claim comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Pima County Sheriff's Office, which has separately been in the news over its handling of the Nancy Guthrie ransom case.