Amber Guyger, the Texas police officer who shot and killed neighbor Botham Jean in his Dallas apartment earlier this month, was reportedly fired Monday as she faces manslaughter charges.
In a police statement issued to The Dallas Morning News, the department announced that they made their decision to fire Guyger, 30, after conducting an internal investigation. Guyger had been on administrative leave since the September 6 shooting that left Jean, 26, dead.
According to WFAA, the news release said Guyger, a patrol officer who had been on the job since 2013, “engaged in adverse conduct” on the night in question.
Police reportedly said Guyger can appeal the decision.
The officer’s firing comes days after Dallas Police Chief U. Reneeé Hall said during Tuesday’s town hall meeting that they couldn’t fire Guyger before they completed an internal investigation due to federal, state, and local laws. However, she didn’t specify what those laws were.
Further, Hall’s chief of staff claimed they were going to hold off on an internal investigation until a criminal investigation was concluded, according to the Morning News.
“As an employer, DPD can compel Officer Guyger to provide a statement during a DPD administrative investigation and those statements given to DPD could potentially compromise the criminal investigation,” Hall said in a written statement issued to the local newspaper.
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) September 24, 2018
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Guyger told police that she had finished a 15-hour shift when she parked her car on the fourth floor of her apartment building instead of the third floor where she lived. She reportedly said the door was slightly ajar when she placed the key with an electronic chip into the keyhole, causing the door to open further.
Documents indicated that Guyger, who is white, claimed she saw a “large silhouette” and gave it verbal commands before opening fire, wounding Jean in his torso. The 26-year-old later died from his injuries.
An attorney for the slain man’s family said they’ve been in contact with witnesses that directly contradict Guyger’s story. According to The Dallas Morning News, the lawyer said one witness heard Guyger say, “Let me in. Let me in,” before entering Botham’s apartment. Another witness reportedly overheard Botham say, “Oh my God. Why did you do that,” moments after gunfire erupted.
Guyger is charged with manslaughter. She remains free on $300,000 bond.
The newspaper reported that Jean is scheduled to be laid to rest Monday in Saint Lucia.
[Featured Image: Botham Jean/Facebook; Amber Guyger/Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office]
