Botham Jean

Outcome

unknown

In September 2018, Botham Jean, a 26 year old Black man, was shot and killed inside his own apartment in Dallas, Texas, by Amber Guyger, an off duty Dallas police officer. Guyger entered Jean’s apartment, which was located directly below her own, and claimed she believed it was her residence and that Jean was an intruder. Jean was unarmed and was eating ice cream when he was shot. Investigators later determined that Guyger had parked on the wrong floor and entered the apartment without signs of forced entry. The case drew national attention as details emerged about how a routine mistake by a police officer escalated into a fatal use of force against an innocent resident in his own home. In 2019, Guyger was convicted of murder and sentenced to ten years in prison, a rare outcome in cases involving the killing of a civilian by a police officer. The trial, sentencing, and public response generated widespread discussion about police accountability, racial bias, and the boundaries of reasonable use of force. Botham Jean’s death became a significant moment in contemporary protest history, highlighting how ordinary Black life can be rendered vulnerable by assumptions of threat and authority. His killing intensified calls for accountability and reform while underscoring the ongoing risks faced by Black individuals even within the presumed safety of their own homes.