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 opened the door and cops saw the gun, they opened fire. He never fired a shot.
“Ultimately, given the significant threat Dotson posed when he pointed his firearm at officers … the immediacy of that threat, the proximity between Dotson and the defendant officers, and considering that the events unfolded in only a few seconds, the court finds that the defendant officers reasonably applied deadly force,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Garcia.
The judge dismissed key parts of the Dotson family’s lawsuit, saying the officers were protected by “qualified immunity” — a legal shield that often blocks lawsuits against police even when mistakes are made.
Police were at the wrong house.
Dotson’s family argues that officers gave no proper warning and didn’t clearly identify themselves. They say Dotson was likely blinded by the flashlight and never knew it was police outside. One officer was heard shouting, “Hey, hands up,” but only after Dotson had opened the door.
Moments later, his wife, wearing only a robe, came downstairs and saw him lying in the doorway. Thinking they were under attack, she fired a gun outside. Officers responded with 19 shots. They missed her.
Tom Clark, the family’s attorney, said the legal fight isn’t over. “The lawsuit against Farmington police will move forward,” he said, pointing to claims under state law and the New Mexico Civil Rights Act, which doesn’t provide the same immunity protections.
Meanwhile, defense lawyers claimed the officers knocked and announced themselves, and that Dotson “posed an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm.”
But critics say something doesn’t add up.
“Here the court is saying the police made a mistake — but in that moment they were confronted with a decision to use deadly force,” said Philip Stinson, a criminal justice professor. “I don’t think this is the last word in this case.”
On the same day as this ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision reminding courts to look at all the facts — not just the moment a person appears to be a threat — when deciding if a shooting is justified.
The Dotson family says the facts are simple: police went to the wrong house, gave no clear warning, and killed an innocent man.
