In a recent ruling, a federal judge dismissed parts of a civil lawsuit claiming police violated constitutional rights in the fatal shooting of Robert Dotson, 52, in Farmington, New Mexico. The incident occurred on April 5, 2023, when police responded to a domestic violence call at the wrong address. Dotson answered the door wielding a handgun and was shot by officers after he raised it; he did not fire at them. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Garcia concluded that the officers reasonably applied deadly force due to the immediate threat posed by Dotson, stating that the “totality of circumstances” must be assessed in such cases.
The judge also granted the officers qualified immunity, a legal protection that shields government officials from liability for constitutional rights violations, given the context of the situation. Despite this dismissal, the family’s lawsuit will continue on other legal grounds under tort law and New Mexico’s Civil Rights Act, which restricts immunity for police actions.
Defense attorneys maintained that the police acted appropriately, citing their identification as officers and warnings given before the shooting. However, Dotson’s family contends that the police were mistaken about the address and that Dotson, momentarily blinded by their flashlight, did not receive adequate time to comply with commands.
Notably, the case has sparked discussions about police accountability, as experts highlight the complexities regarding judicial evaluations of police conduct in high-stress incidents. Dotson’s wife witnessed the aftermath and opened fire outside, unaware of her husband’s fate. The police fired 19 rounds, missing her entirely, further raising concerns about the response of law enforcement.
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