Court rules police justified in New Mexico shooting incident

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    A federal judge has dismissed a portion of a lawsuit that accused police officers of violating constitutional rights during a fatal shooting incident involving Robert Dotson, a 52-year-old man from Farmington, New Mexico. The lawsuit, filed by Dotson’s family, alleged that their civil rights were infringed when police fatally shot Dotson after responding to a domestic violence call at the wrong address. Public prosecutors previously determined that no criminal charges were warranted after reviewing the case events.

    The incident occurred late on April 5, 2023, when Dotson, upon hearing a knock, went downstairs with a pistol after donning a robe. As Dotson appeared at the door, police shone a flashlight on him, and he lifted his firearm. This led three officers to open fire, resulting in Dotson’s death. Dotson did not discharge his weapon.

    In a written ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Garcia stated that given the perceived threat Dotson posed by pointing the gun at officers, the immediate threat, and the close distance, the officers’ decision to use deadly force was reasonable. The judge also asserted that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity, which shields them from lawsuits claiming constitutional rights violations.

    The court’s opinion was released on May 15, coinciding with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that stressed courts should evaluate the complete set of circumstances around police shootings, not just isolated threats, under the Fourth Amendment.

    Tom Clark, an attorney representing the Dotson family, affirmed that the lawsuit against the Farmington Police would continue under other legal claims, referencing New Mexico’s Civil Rights Act, which restricts immunity for law enforcement and government bodies.

    Defense lawyers argued in legal documents that the officers behaved reasonably, given the situation, pointing out that they had announced their presence multiple times, asserting that Dotson presented an immediate threat.

    Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, remarked that court decisions regarding police immunity in shooting cases often yield perplexing results. He noted, “The court acknowledges a mistake was made. Yet, in that moment, the officers faced a choice regarding deadly force.” Stinson believes this will not be the final judicial decision regarding the incident.

    Lawyers for the Dotson family argued that the crucial issue was police arriving at the incorrect address and that Dotson, blinded by the flashlight, had minimal awareness of the officers outside. They also highlighted that Dotson wasn’t afforded adequate time to respond to the officers’ commands, such as “Hey, hands up,” before the shooting commenced.

    The lawsuit details that Dotson’s wife, who emerged downstairs after the gunshots in only a robe, discovered her husband lying in the doorway. Unaware of the situation outdoors, she fired her weapon, leading to police returning 19 rounds, fortunately missing her.