The white police officer who fatally shot a black man in his home has been fired. Amber Guyger, who had worked in law enforcement for four years, entered the apartment of Botham Jean on September 6. Guyger then shot Jean in his home.
In a statement given to the police, the 30-year-old claimed she believed Jean, a devout Christian who lead worship at his local church, was an intruder in her apartment.
The 26-year-old, who lived in the same apartment building as Guyger, was pronounced dead in hospital after receiving a single gunshot to the chest.
Guyger, who is currently out on bail, has been charged with manslaughter.
The Dallas Police Department, which employed Guyger, has now dismissed her.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the Dallas Police Department placed Guyger on administrative leave.
Jean’s family and supporters had led calls for her to be fired and have questioned why it took almost three weeks since the fatal shooting for Guyger to be dismissed.
The investigation into the incident and Jean’s death is ongoing.
Lawyers representing his family have disclosed that Jean was unarmed at the time of his death.
Jean, who is originally from St Lucia, is expected to be buried there.
His mother, Allison, told the New York Times that she had asked her son why he always appeared “so dressy”, to which he replied: “Mom, I don’t want to be stopped. I don’t want for them to think I’m somebody I’m not.”
A week after Jean’s death, more than 100 members of the St Lucian community gathered to remember him in Hackney, London.
Attendees gathered and took part in a candlelight vigil to show solidarity with Jean and his family.
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