US police shoot innocent man after raid on the wrong house: “A very dark day” | Abroad

The local Farmington, New Mexico, police department responded to a domestic violence call. Once on scene, the agents “accidentally” approached the wrong address. They knocked on the door and identified themselves as police, but received no answer.

According to the incident statement, CCTV footage shows homeowner Robert Dotson, 52, armed with a gun, opening the door as officers retreated. Police fired at least one shot. Dotson was hit. His wife then appeared in the doorway. She opened fire on the officers with a handgun, the statement said. “When she realized that the persons outside her residence were officers, she put the gun down and obeyed the officers’ orders,” the statement continues.

Dotson was pronounced dead at the scene. The New Mexico Police Department has now been asked to investigate the incident.

Police Chief Steve Hebbe responded that it was a “very dark day” for the victim’s family, community and the police department. “I offer nothing but my deepest condolences to the Dotson family,” he said. “There is nothing I can say to make this better. It is a terrible event and I am devastated.”

He also said that after the officers’ statements, body camera videos of the “chaotic scene” will be released in a few days.