TUCSON — Pima County Sheriff's deputies shot 23-year-old Axeel Melendez on April 10, 2026, after he pointed a gun at them as they entered a home south of Tucson. The incident occurred after Melendez reported that his father had shot his sister, according to a video report released by the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team.

Deputies responded to an emergency call at approximately 5:40 a.m. that day regarding a shooting at a residence in the 1000 block of East Fenley Drive near Interstate 19. In the call, Melendez claimed his father had shot his sister. Deputies attempted to enter the house through both the front and back doors but were unsuccessful.

A deputy subsequently used a shovel to break a bedroom window at the back of the house. As deputies entered through the window, Melendez was positioned by the bedroom door and pointed a gun at them. Two deputies, Santiago Casillas-Velazquez and Andres Vasquez, then opened fire and struck Melendez. The video report identifies Casillas-Velazquez as having three years of experience and Vasquez as having two years of experience.

Melendez was transported to a local hospital following the shooting. The incident remains under investigation.