US Edition
Judge finds police acted reasonably in shooting New Mexico man while at wrong address
- A federal judge dismissed part of a lawsuit accusing Farmington police of violating constitutional rights after fatally shooting 52-year-old Robert Dotson at the wrong address on April 5, 2023.
- The shooting occurred when police responded to a domestic violence call but mistakenly went to Dotson's home, where he answered a knock with a handgun after being blinded by a flashlight.
- Three officers fired 19 rounds within seconds after Dotson raised his firearm despite repeated announcements, and prosecutors found no criminal basis to charge the officers.
- U.S. District Judge Matthew Garcia determined that the officers' use of deadly force was justified based on the immediate danger and closeness of the threat, while attorneys representing Dotson's family highlighted that the police arrived at an incorrect location and did not allow adequate time for compliance.
- The lawsuit will continue under New Mexico tort law and civil rights provisions, which limit police immunity, reflecting ongoing legal debate over qualified immunity and police use of force.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Judge Rules Police Acted Reasonably in Fatal Shooting at Wrong Address in New Mexico
A federal judge has dismissed a key portion of a lawsuit brought by the family of a New Mexico man fatally shot by police after officers mistakenly arrived at his home in response to a domestic violence call. The incident occurred late on April 5, 2023, when Farmington police officers knocked on the door of 52-year-old Robert Dotson’s home, responding to a call but mistakenly going to the wrong address. Dotson, reportedly startled by the late-ni…
Judge Rules It Was Reasonable for Cops to Shoot Homeowner After Showing Up at Wrong House at Night Without Warning
A federal judge has ruled that police officers were justified in killing Robert Dotson, a 52-year-old man shot at his own home after officers mistakenly showed up at the wrong address in the middle of the night in Farmington, New Mexico. On the night of April 5, 2023, Dotson heard knocking at his door. It was late, so he put on a robe, grabbed a handgun, and went downstairs. Outside, officers were pointing a flashlight at the house. When Dotson …
Associated Press News
Judge finds police acted reasonably in shooting New Mexico man while at wrong address
A federal judge has dismissed part of a lawsuit that accused police in New Mexico of violating constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures when they fatally shot a man after showing up at the wrong address.
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