In a tragic incident last year, three New Mexico police officers fatally shot a homeowner after mistakenly going to the wrong address while responding to a domestic violence call. The New Mexico Department of Justice announced on Friday that no criminal charges would be filed against the officers involved. The department's decision was based on a review conducted by Seth W. Stoughton, a former police officer and professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law. The review concluded that the officers did not use excessive force when they shot Robert Dotson, 52, on April 5, 2023.

The report stated that the officers - Daniel Estrada, Dylan Goodluck, and Waylon Wasson - had gone to 5305 Valley View Avenue instead of the correct address, 5308 Valley View Avenue. Officer Wasson knocked on the front door multiple times and identified themselves as the police, but Mr. Dotson unexpectedly opened the door while raising a firearm in the direction of the officers. Stoughton determined that Mr. Dotson posed an imminent threat to the officers, leading them to fire their weapons.

Shortly after the officers shot Mr. Dotson, his wife, Kimberly Dotson, fired at the officers from the doorway with a handgun. Officers Estrada and Wasson returned fire, but no one was injured in the exchange. The New Mexico Department of Justice stated that the officers' approach, knock on the door, and announcement at the wrong address did not create an unnecessarily dangerous situation.

The decision not to press charges has sparked controversy and disappointment. Dotson's family has filed a lawsuit against the city of Farmington and the three officers involved, alleging wrongful death and seeking damages under the Wrongful Death Act. The lawsuit claims that the officers opened fire instantly when Mr. Dotson opened the door and that they did not announce themselves. The family's attorney, Tom Clark, argued that Mr. Dotson was blinded by the officers' flashlights and had no idea who was in his yard.

The New Mexico Department of Justice's decision has raised concerns about the safety of individuals in their own homes. Doug Perrin, an attorney for the Dotson family, expressed disappointment in the findings, emphasizing that Mr. Dotson was not safe in his own home. The Farmington Police Department Chief, Steve Hebbe, expressed his condolences to the Dotson family and acknowledged the tragedy of the incident.

The review conducted by Seth Stoughton and the decision by the New Mexico Department of Justice have shed light on the events surrounding the fatal shooting of Robert Dotson. While no criminal charges will be filed against the officers involved, the lawsuit filed by the Dotson family seeks to hold the city of Farmington and the officers accountable for the wrongful death of their loved one. The case serves as a reminder of the complex and often controversial issues surrounding the use of force by law enforcement officers.