Memorial Unveiled for Black Man Killed When Cop Entered Wrong Apartment, Fired at Intruder

Senior Reporter

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A memorial honoring a Black man shot and killed in his apartment by an off-duty Dallas police officer was unveiled Wednesday at his alma mater, the Associated Press reported.

Botham Jean was killed by officer Amber Guyger in 2018 when she mistakenly entered his apartment thinking it was hers and shot Jean, believing he was an intruder.

The memorial at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where Jean graduated in 2016, shows Jean and "his legendary smile," Harding President David Burks said, according to the AP.

"I think it's significant—and, of course, it was intentional that we planned it for today—that today would have been Botham's 30th birthday, September 29th, 2021," Burks said. "All of us have many memories of his time, but especially with the family, we have very special memories of his life."

For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.

A memorial for Botham Jean was unveiled at his alma mater, Harding University, on what would have been his 30th birthday. Jean was killed when a police officer entered his apartment thinking it was hers... Stewart F. House/Getty Images

Harding University Executive Vice President David Collins, who is Jean's brother, unveiled the Botham Shem Jean Memorial on campus on Wednesday.

"[It's] actually a surprise to me, and I'm grateful and thankful," Brandt Jean told The Daily Citizen. "I know how much it costs to have this, not just financially but systematically. I know how much someone would have to represent just to be able to have this, so it's truly an honor."

Brandt Jean is also a student at the university.

Four students have benefitted so far from scholarship funds established in Jean's name; One was created by his parents, Bertrum and Allison Jean, and the other by the Paul R. Carter College of Business in cooperation with Botham's employer, PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dallas.

Guyger was arrested three days later and fired from the police department. She was convicted of murder in Jean's killing and is serving a 10-year prison sentence.

Jean had aspired to one day become prime minister of St. Lucia, his native Caribbean island nation, and Burks said the memorial was dedicated to students who have lived in the Caribbean.

He said Jean's death was "truly a tragedy and we continue to pray and grieve alongside all those who knew and loved him," adding that Jean will be remembered on campus for generations to come.