Saint Lucians demand Justice for Botham!

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he whole world must by now be familiar with the name Botham Shem Jean, not to mention the shocking details so far released of his death on the night of September 6. Still, it bears repeating: Saint Lucian-born Botham, 26, was shot and killed in his Dallas, Texas home by a female police officer who allegedly entered his apartment by mistake, believing the young man to be an intruder.

Botham was a beloved son, brother, nephew and uncle of the well known Jean family. His uncle, Ignatius Jean, was a government minister; his mother, Allison Jean, also served government as a permanent secretary. Botham attended the Carmen Rene Primary School, St. Mary’s College and Sir Arthur Lewis Community College before moving on to the United States.

Thirty-year-old Amber Guyger, who was charged with killing Botham, has served four years in the Dallas Police Force. She has been released on a $300,000 bond. On Monday, September 10, an affidavit from Texas Ranger David L. Armstrong stated: “Guyger, who had just ended her shift, but was still in her Dallas Police uniform, arrived at the apartment complex and parked her vehicle on the fourth floor of the parking garage, which should correspond to the floor the resident lives on. Guyger entered the building and walked down the fourth floor hallway to what she thought was her apartment. She inserted a unique door key with an electronic chip. The door, which was slightly ajar prior to Guyger’s arrival, fully opened under the force of the key insertion. Upon the door being opened, Guyger observed that the apartment interior was nearly completely dark. Believing she had encountered a burglar, which was described as a large silhouette, across the room in her apartment, Guyger drew her firearm, gave verbal commands that were ignored by complainant Jean. Guyger fired her handgun two times, striking the complainant one time in the torso . . .”

A funeral service was held for Botham Shem Jean in Greenville Avenue Church of Christ in Richardson, Dallas, Texas on Thursday, September 13. A second funeral service is scheduled to be held in Saint Lucia though the date has not yet been determined.

Since the night of September 6 candle-light vigils have been held in various parts of the world to honour Botham’s life. On September 11, Saint Lucians gathered on the La Clery playing field located in the community where Botham grew up. The event was organised by a small group of women who had been struck by the gravity of what happened.

Nicole David, who was amongst the organisers addressed the gathered crowd: “I am not just here as a proud Saint Lucian, I’m here as a mother. My son is actually the same age group as Botham. So, when this tragedy hit home, it hit really, really hard. Angry, outraged, heartbroken, baffled are just a few emotions we all feel.” David ended her speech with an impassioned, “We must not let Botham’s death go in vain; we must fight for justice . . . we want transparency and we will not rest until there is Justice for Botham!” The crowd then joined her in chant: “Justice for Botham! Justice for Botham!”

Botham was a devout Christian. Members of his Saint Lucian church community also spoke and sang at Tuesday’s vigil along with family members and former teachers. Past students of the St. Mary’s College, many of whom had graduated alongside Botham in 2008, got up on stage to sing the school’s anthem as a symbol of their solidarity. Vigils were also held in London, Florida, New York and Dallas.