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.

  • baines@lemmy.cafe
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    17 hours ago

    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
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      4 hours 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”.

      • baines@lemmy.cafe
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        52 minutes ago

        you come to his door late at night?, don’t announce yourself, multiple unknown people in a group, shine a light in his face and it’s his fault the reaction is to point his gun? stupid fucks were not even at the right location

        this shit should have been done in broad daylight if they are going to be so incompetent

        the beginning of your second sentence sure is correct lol…

        • Maalus@lemmy.world
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          34 minutes ago

          As I said. Don’t open the door. Call the police. Getting a weapon BEFORE you see anything / know anything makes you an idiot, plain and simple. Because it doesn’t matter that this time it was the police. It could’ve been an injured person, someone in an emergency, someone who is having health issues, and they’d get a gun pointed at them.