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Judge finds police acted reasonably in shooting New Mexico man while at wrong address (apnews.com)

submitted 19 hours ago by destructdisc@lemmy.world to c/aboringdystopia@lemmy.world

18 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/38426659

The shooting of Robert Dotson, 52, in the northwestern New Mexico city of Farmington prompted a civil lawsuit by his family members, though public prosecutors found there was no basis to pursue criminal charges against officers after a review of events. The suit alleged that the family was deprived of its civil rights and officers acted unreasonably.

Hearing a knock at the door late on April 5, 2023, Dotson put on a robe, went downstairs and grabbed a handgun before answering. Police outside shined a flashlight as Dotson appeared and raised the firearm before three police officers opened fire, killing him. Dotson did not shoot.

“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,” U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Garcia said in a written court opinion.

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[–] Romkslrqusz@lemm.ee 4 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

I agree that opening the door was a mistake - I’m the type to check a camera when I hear a knock.

I think you’re missing the point of my comment. The firearm was likely pointed in response to the blinding light. Your hypothetical “person hurt in an accident” probably would not have had a gun pointed in their face.

By being unable to fathom why somebody would have the means to defend themselves when a stranger is at their door, you’re displaying a certain level of privilege. Must be nice.

[–] Maalus@lemmy.world -4 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

He grabbed a handgun before answering the door. It doesn't matter if he pointed it, if he waved it, or shown them how cool he looked with it. You don't open the door with a gun in hand. What's the A to Z of doing that? If it's robbers, do you think you opening the door with a gun makes them magically disappear? What if it's literally anyone else, because why would a robber knock on the door?

You call it a lack of privilege and I call it stupidity. Grabbing a gun means "I'm about to use deadly force". Grabbing a gun to a situation that isn't known to you is escalating everything to 11. As I said. If you are scared, you don't open the door. Someone breaks in, sure, use that deadly force. But this isn't that, this is a flashlight being pointed at a dude who knowingly got something that can end another person's life, who overreacted and literally pulled a gun on cops.

[–] baines@lemmy.cafe 6 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago) (1 children)

you have a right to hold a gun in your own home

if this were anyone but a cop this would be murder

[–] Maalus@lemmy.world 1 points 6 minutes ago

You have a right to hold a gun in your home. You don't have a right to point said gun at people at your door. No matter if this was a cop or not.

Seriously, people lose all common sense once cops are involved because acab. When the reality often is "you are trying to defend a dude that pulled a gun on people who were at his door".