Video shows New Mexico police were at wrong house seconds before killing homeowner

New Mexico law enforcement officials realized they have been on the improper deal with simply moments earlier than the entrance door opened and so they fatally shot the armed house owner, then exchanged gunfire together with his spouse, in accordance with newly launched physique digicam video of the April 5 capturing.

Robert Dotson, 52, was killed by police in Farmington, New Mexico, on April 5, after officers responding to a home violence report arrived on the improper home.

The Farmington Police Department launched a number of movies on Friday, together with footage captured by physique cameras worn by the three officers who fired their weapons.

“Once again, we wish to express our condolences to the Dotson family and as your chief of police, I wish to convey how very sorry I am that this tragedy occurred,” Police Chief Steven Hebbe stated in a press release accompanying the discharge.

An lawyer representing the Dotson household couldn’t be reached for touch upon Saturday.

The video exhibits one officer knocking on a door adorned with an Easter bunny 3 times and asserting that police are current within the span of about 1-1/2 minutes. While they wait, two officers talk about whether or not they have the proper deal with and chuckle after they understand a mistake has been made.

One officer then curses and backs away, seconds earlier than the door opens. An officer yells, “Hands up!,” and the video exhibits Dotson elevating what seems to be a handgun earlier than officers open fireplace, dropping him within the doorway.

Dotson’s spouse can quickly be heard screaming “Oh my God!” One officer mutters, “Please don’t,” earlier than one other volley of pictures happen. Authorities have stated she fired within the path of officers, who returned fireplace with out hanging her.

Dotson’s spouse, who didn’t understand she was firing at police, has not been charged with against the law, authorities stated. Three youngsters have been upstairs on the time of the capturing, in accordance with the launched video.

Police haven’t launched the names of the concerned officers, who’ve been positioned on paid depart whereas the state police examine the incident.

The Dotson household and their lawyer watched the video previous to its public launch, Hebbe stated. —Reuters

Source: www.gmanetwork.com