WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A McLennan County grand jury on Thursday cleared a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee who claims she shot and killed her abusive “domestic partner” in self-defense.

The grand jury no-billed Carla Dotson, 52, after reviewing evidence from the April 2025 incident in the 100 block of Apple Lane, determining she acted in self-defense and should not be indicted in the shooting death of Christan Hicks.

Dotson admitted shooting Walker, who is described in police records as her 51-year-old “domestic partner.”

Dotson told police she and Walker were involved in an argument about 6:15 a.m. and that both pulled firearms, according to an affidavit for search warrants obtained by Waco police.

Police did not arrest Dotson after the shooting, choosing to present the case

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