Police shoot man holding machete to save toddler held hostage in west Phoenix

PHOENIX – Police shot a man who allegedly was holding a toddler hostage with a machete in west Phoenix on Wednesday night, authorities said.

Officers responded to a 911 text message about a domestic violence incident at an apartment near 31st Avenue and Bethany Home Road around 10 p.m., according to the Phoenix Police Department.

They had some of the apartment’s occupants step outside and observed a man inside who was holding a machete and had a young child on his lap.

When the suspect refused to step outside with his hands up, police deployed a less-lethal tool. However, that method was ineffective, police said.

“The man did not drop the machete and did not let go of the toddler, and this was when the officer-involved shooting occurred,” Sgt. Phil Krynsky said in a media advisory.

Officers secured the machete and carried the toddler away before rendering aid to the suspect, who was later identified as 35-year-old Wilson Melgar-Melgar.

The child was treated for minor injuries and released from a hospital.

The suspect was taken to a hospital with injuries that were considered life-threatening, and was later released and booked into jail on “numerous felony charges,” police said.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety Major Incident Division will conduct an investigation into the police shooting.

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