On April 5, 2023, Robert Dotson, a 52-year-old man from Farmington, New Mexico, was fatally shot by police officers who mistakenly approached his house while responding to a domestic violence call. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. when three Farmington police officers - Daniel Estrada, Dylan Goodluck, and Waylon Wasson - knocked on Dotson's door at 5305 instead of the correct address, 5308.
According to reports, Dotson answered the door armed with a handgun, which he had retrieved
from the top of his refrigerator. Upon seeing Dotson with the firearm, the officers immediately opened fire, striking him 12 times. Dotson's wife, Kimberly, unaware of who had shot her husband, then fired back at the officers from the doorway. The officers returned fire, firing an additional 19 bullets, but missed her.
Following the incident, the New Mexico Department of Justice conducted an investigation into the shooting. On January 26, 2024, Deputy Attorney General Greer E. Staley announced that the three officers involved would not face criminal charges. The decision was based on an expert report that concluded the officers did not use excessive force when they discharged their weapons, as both Dotson and his wife were armed.
In September 2023, Dotson's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Farmington and the responding officers. The lawsuit alleges that the city failed to properly train the officers in use of force and that the three officers 'acted unreasonably' and 'applied excessive, unnecessary force.' The suit also claims that Dotson was deprived of his state constitutional rights, including the right to enjoy life and liberty.
The incident has sparked calls for police reform in New Mexico. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has emphasized that this case demonstrates the need for statewide changes in policing practices. They have called for more rigorous use of force standards and de-escalation training for law enforcement officers.
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with Dotson's death, and the three officers involved in the shooting remain employed by the Farmington Police Department.
