Family Sues Chandler Police Over Mental Health Shooting

A family sues Chandler police and city over the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Messiah McMillian, claiming he was in a schizophrenic episode and posed no threat to others—only himself. His mother had requested medics, not police, for his mental health crisis. Body cam footage shows officers encountering him shirtless, distressed, holding a knife to himself, yet they allegedly escalated quickly, with a rookie officer firing four shots after McMillian moved forward. Lawyers argue no less-lethal options were used and CPR was delayed. Though an expert acknowledges potential danger with a knife—even pointed inward—the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office cleared officers of wrongdoing. McMillian’s mother says her son’s death was preventable and demands systemic change in police response to mental health calls, as the department declines to comment on the ongoing lawsuit. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/9e836b025ba5db35