DALLAS – (WBAP/KLIF) – The family of 26 year old Botham Jean, shot and killed in his own apartment by an off-duty police officer in uniform, wants more answers and transparency from law enforcement. A news conference headed by the family’s apparent attorney, Lee Merritt, asked why the officer involved did not seem to be getting the same treatment any other suspect in a shooting causing death would receive.
The news conference was called in apparent response to one held earlier in the day by Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall, who announced in an effort to be transparent, the investigation was being turned over to the Texas Rangers. Chief Hall also answered questions about why a warrant for arrest for manslaughter announced by the Dallas Police Department earlier had apparently not been issued. Chief Hall announced the Texas Rangers had asked DPD to delay that warrant following information they’d received during an interview of the officer suspected in Jeans’ shooting death.
Earlier reports seemed to suggest the off-duty officer may have entered Jean’s apartment thinking it was her home, and that she shot Jean assuming he was an intruder. Those reports seem to have generated more questions and concern than answers in the case.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings has offered the media comments relaying his concern this is a very serious situation for the city of Dallas, especially in that it seems to have been a white officer that shot and killed a black man. Neither Dallas Police or the Texas Rangers have confirmed the races of those involved.
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