April 15 (Reuters) – New Mexico police officers realized they were at the wrong address moments before the front door opened and killed the armed homeowner, then exchanged gunfire with his wife, according to newly released body camera video of the April 5 shooting.
Robert Dotson, 52, was killed by police in Farmington, New Mexico, on April 5, after officers responding to a report of domestic violence arrived at the wrong home.
The Farmington Police Department released several videos Friday, including footage captured by body cameras worn by three officers firing their weapons.
“Once again, we want to express our condolences to the Dotson family and as your police chief, I want to express how sorry I am that this tragedy happened,” Police Chief Steven Hebbe said in a statement accompanying the release. .
An attorney representing the Dotson family could not be reached for comment Saturday.
The video shows an officer knocking on a door decorated with an Easter bunny three times and announcing that police are there in the span of about 1-1/2 minutes. As they waited, two officers discussed whether they were at the right address and giggled when they realized something had gone wrong.
An officer then cursed and turned away, seconds before the door opened. An officer yelled, “Hands up!,” and video showed Dotson raising what appeared to be a handgun before the officers opened fire, throwing him through the door.
Dotson’s wife can then be heard screaming “Oh my God!” An officer muttered, “Please don’t,” before a volley of shots rang out. Authorities said he fired in the direction of the officers, who returned fire without hitting him.
Dotson’s wife, who did not realize he was shooting at police, has not been charged with a crime, authorities said. Three children were upstairs at the time of the shooting, according to the released video.
Police have not released the names of the officers involved, who have been placed on paid leave while state police investigate the incident.
The Dotson family and their attorney watched the video before it was released to the public, Hebbe said.
Reporting by Joseph Ax, Editing by Nick Zieminski
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