State agency won’t charge New Mexico officers in killing of man at wrong home
The New Mexico Justice Department has declined to file charges against police officers who went to the wrong address on a call last year and fatally shot the homeowner when he answered the door armed with a gun.
The New Mexico Justice Department has declined to file charges against police officers who went to the wrong address on a call last year and fatally shot the homeowner when he answered the door armed with a gun.
The Justice Department said that after a review, “there is no basis for pursuing a criminal prosecution” against three Farmington police officers.
The fatal shooting of Robert Dotson, 52, on April 5 prompted an apology from Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe, who called it a tragedy.
The officers were responding to a domestic violence-related call at a house around 11:30 that night, but they mistakenly went to a different house across the street, officials have said.
Video released by the police department shows the officers discussing whether they were at the right address before the door opens and the shooting occurs.
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