Amber Guyger, a Dallas police officer, has officially been arrested and charged with manslaughter after fatally shooting a black man inside his own home. Guyger had just finished her 15 hour shift and claims to have mistaken 26-year-old Botham Jean’s house with her own, according to The New York Post. This event sparked outrage on social media, with many people calling for her arrest and justice to the family.
She ‘thought it was her own apartment’? On a different floor? When her key didn’t work? When he opened the door? and her first move was to SHOOT? #BothamJean
— Doug Lemov (@Doug_Lemov) September 8, 2018
Please notice the bright red mat in front of Bo’s door. But she didn’t realize she was at the wrong door??? Really?? #really
I am his next door neighbor, I was home Thursday night and I heard everything. I took this photo yesterday. #bothemshemjean #justiceforbo #BothamJean pic.twitter.com/bcLwMt8XdG
— Alyssa Kinsey (@AlyssaKinsey8) September 9, 2018
Right after the event Guyger was asked to take a leave of absence. However, following new evidence, the Dallas District Attorney’s Office has filed charges.
According to CBS46, the arrest affidavit reads that Guyger had entered the wrong apartment due to using a key on the door which was unlocked and slightly ajar. On her account, she had seen a large dark figure and gave verbal commands to leave to the presumed burglar. When those were ignored, she shot twice, then called 911. She was asked where she was, and it wasn’t until she turned on the lights that she realized she was in the wrong apartment.
Lee Merritt, the lawyer hired to represent Jean’s family in this case, tweeted out this message.
Our office has been retained to represent the estate of #BothamShemJean. Our first & foremost priority will be to ensure justice is served for this family. That includes holding Amber Guyger accountable for her crimes as well as ID’ing all responsible for enabling this incident. pic.twitter.com/p9tJAiJZOi
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) September 8, 2018
A vigil was held for Jean on Saturday, September 8 to honor Jean’s life. His classmates, co-workers, family and friends came together to mourn the community’s loss.