The New Mexico State Police, in the southern United States, killed a man during an operation carried out in the wrong direction, according to images released in recent hours by the force itself, local media reported today.
The Farmington Town Police Department released body camera video and audio of 911 officers involved in the incident on April 5, when three officers responded to a call but knocked on the wrong door.
Officers were responding to a domestic violence call at 5308 Valley View Avenue, but footage shows them arriving at a home identified as 5305.
Department Chief Steve Hebbe ordered the release of the images under state law “and out of a desire to be forthcoming and transparent with the Farmington community, the general public and the media,” a statement from the Department said. institution.
The images show the agents knocking on the door several times and identifying themselves as such, the AFP news agency reported.
They then requested confirmation of the address from the police station and argued with each other about whether they were at the correct house. A few minutes later, a man opens the door and comes out with a firearm and the troops respond with shots.
The victim, Robert Dotson, died immediately at the scene, police said.
A woman later identified as Dotson’s wife appears at the door about a minute later, and more shots are fired. According to the police officers, she also fired at them with a gun.
The Department said the names of the three officers involved, who have been redacted from the images and audio, could not be released due to the ongoing investigation.
It’s unclear why the officers, who are on paid leave during the investigation, headed to the wrong address, authorities said.
Source: Ambito
