On Thursday evening an unfortunate, almost unimaginable, event happened; an innocent civilian was killed in his own apartment by a Dallas police officer. Botham Shem Jean, 26, was at home when Amber Guyger, a four year veteran of the force, shot Jean striking him in the torso which lead to his death. The officer was coming off a 15 hour shift returning to her alleged home, convinced there was a burglar in her apartment. Per her statement, she called out and then fired two shots at the victim. It was only after that event that she realized she was one floor above her own apartment. Botham Jean, originally from St. Lucia, graduated from Harding University and worked at PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He was also active in his church, known as a strong singer.
On Sunday, Guyger turned herself into the Kaufman County Jail. She was retained and then set free on a $300,00 bail. The Dallas Police Department have turned the case over the Texas Rangers. At the moment she is charged with manslaughter but the charges could change based on the court and further information.
Is this another case of racial profiling or simply a horrible accident? Although its early in the investigation phase, the nation will be watching.
- Anna Speer
Source-Dallas Morning News (newspaper)
This is so sad! I didn't even know about this, and it happened in my own city. I'm glad that she turned herself in, but she was definitely in the wrong and needs to be held accountable for her actions.
ReplyDeleteEmma Burkey: This is a case that is so striking and stands out to us because it makes people feel unsafe in their homes, especially African Americans. They have already had a horrible amount of police brutality and now for this to happen is terrifying. We do not know the details, but that must have been some 15 hour shift for her to think that his apartment was hers when she was on a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FLOOR.
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