The family of Victor Altamirano has filed a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Phoenix and multiple Phoenix police officers following Mr. Altamirano’s fatal shooting during a mental health crisis on October 2, 2025.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Altamirano’s family called police seeking help after he expressed suicidal ideation. According to the complaint, after officers arrived, Mr. Altamirano ran into the street asking officers to shoot him. Rather than attempting meaningful de-escalation, officers allegedly opened fire almost immediately.

The complaint alleges Mr. Altamirano, although holding a knife, never posed an immediate threat to officers or others and was ultimately shot while fleeing.

“Families should not have to fear that calling 911 during a mental health emergency will end with their loved one being killed,” said attorney Richard Lyons of Kelly & Lyons. “This case is about accountability and the constitutional limits on the use of deadly force.”

Filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, the lawsuit names the City of Phoenix, Officers Cesar Perez and Edwin Garcia, and an unidentified officer as defendants. The suit alleges violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, along with state-law claims for wrongful death and battery.

The family seeks compensatory and punitive damages and alleges the City failed to properly train and supervise the officers involved.