Bodycam video shows moments before officers shoot man wielding machete while holding toddler hostage

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) - Police have released body camera footage showing the moments a man wielding a machete allegedly held a toddler hostage in a home last month.

In the video from Sept. 24, Phoenix Police officers ask Wilson Melgar to drop the weapon and release his son.

When Melgar did not obey their commands, officers shot him with two foam bullets. He still did not let his son go.

Police then heard the child crying and approached Melgar. The toddler was sitting on his lap, as he continued to hold the machete in his other hand.

Officers shot Melgar and were able to disarm and arrest him, and get the toddler to safety.

Melgar was taken to the hospital and booked into jail two days later.

Melgar is facing several charges, including child abuse, endangerment, aggravated assault and kidnapping.

Melgar’s brother-in-law, Taylor Lasavage, descretely texted 911 about Melgar swinging the machete around while threatening family members and holding the toddler. Officials said Lasavage’s actions likely prevented a dangerous domestic violence situation from turning deadly.

Lasavage said Melgar threatened to use the machete on anyone who tried to take the child and had warned officers not to use the doorbell, as that could agitate him.

“Please hurry, he’s threatening me with a machete if I take the baby,” Lasavage texted to 911 dispatchers, according to court documents.

Earlier that evening, Lasavage’s sister had confronted her husband, Melgar, at a bar. When Melgar arrived home first, he grabbed the machete and waited to finish the fight, Lasavage said.

“Wilson starts telling me, ‘When she gets here, oh she’s gonna get it,’” Lasavage said. “He was very, very upset at the fact that his wife went to the bar and made a scene, so he was embarrassed.”

As the situation escalated, Melgar held his young son in his arms while wielding the machete. Lasavage attempted to calm him down and offered him a water bottle.

“And I look back, he’s got the machete. He cut the bottle, the bottle of water in half,” Lasavage said.

Fearing for his nephew’s safety, Lasavage continued texting with dispatchers while secretly recording video of the confrontation.

“He was either going to attack her or hurt the baby just to hurt her even more,” Lasavage said.

The toddler suffered bruises and scrapes but is OK and with his mother.