Shocking 911 Call Leads to Tragedy: South Phoenix Family Fights for Justice After Dad's Death!

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A south Phoenix family is demanding changes to police responses during mental health emergencies in the wake of their father’s tragic death last month. Victor Altamirano, 49, was shot and killed by officers who claim he charged at them wielding a knife. Yet, newly released body-worn camera footage raises serious questions about the circumstances leading up to the fatal shots.

The tragic incident reflects a growing trend across the Valley, where law enforcement often finds itself caught between enforcing the law and responding to mental health crises—an intersection that can have devastating outcomes. In the case of the Altamirano family, Victor was the heart of their household—a beloved jokester, boxer, and devoted grandfather to his 12 grandchildren. “He loved being a Tata,” his daughter Melissa recalled, “He was always joking around… He loved being around us.”

However, in the months prior to his death, Altamirano faced significant grief, having lost both of his parents. His daughters describe a noticeable shift in his demeanor, particularly after the loss of his mother, which weighed heavily on him. “Losing his mom hurt him the most,” Melissa shared.

On the morning of the shooting, Melissa made the difficult decision to call 911, fearing for her father’s safety. She informed dispatchers that he was holding a knife and struggling with suicidal thoughts. When officers arrived at their home, Victor ran outside, prompting a chaotic scene that left his family reeling. “I just heard bullets… and him telling them, ‘kill me,’” Melissa recounted, emphasizing how quickly the situation escalated.

Body-worn camera footage shows that police deployed both non-lethal and lethal weapons almost simultaneously. Family members assert that he was shot while running away, which raises serious questions about the police's approach to de-escalation. “They used non-lethal weapons, but once that didn’t take him down… they just finished him off,” one relative stated, fueling their calls for reform.

The Phoenix Police Department stands by its assertion that Altamirano posed an imminent threat, claiming he charged at officers with a knife. The incident is part of a broader pattern in Maricopa County, where police have recorded at least six shootings this year originating from mental health calls. This alarming trend presents a critical challenge for law enforcement and the communities they serve.

In response to the increasing number of such incidents, representatives from local police organizations have voiced the difficulties officers face in these convoluted situations. A spokesperson from the Glendale Fraternal Order of Police remarked, “We’re the ones dispatched to those calls… our job is just to make society work. In cases where someone is armed and threatening harm, you have to have law enforcement there.”

Despite this, the Altamirano family believes that more could have been done to defuse the situation before it escalated to gunfire. “I didn’t hear them try to calm him down,” Melissa lamented, expressing the profound sense of loss and guilt that has enveloped the family. “Calling the cops is what I live with every day,” she continued. “If I didn’t call… would he still be here?”

In the aftermath of this tragedy, the Altamirano family is advocating for reforms in how police handle mental health emergencies. They argue for increased resources and training focused on behavioral health support and crisis response options that could intervene long before a situation necessitates a 911 call. Both the family and law enforcement acknowledge a pressing need for change to prevent further tragedies like Victor’s death.

As the conversation about mental health and police response continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the Altamirano family’s grief underscores a critical challenge facing communities across the nation. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help by calling or texting 988, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which offers free, confidential support 24/7.