Dallas ex-cop indicted in killing

Grand jury upgrades charge against white ex-police officer in shooting of her unarmed black neighbor.

DALLAS — A grand jury Friday indicted a white former Dallas police officer for murder in the shooting of her unarmed black neighbor after she says she mistakenly went to his apartment rather than her own and opened fire when he appeared in the darkness.

Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson announced the indictment of Amber Guyger flanked by members of the family of victim Botham Jean, a native of the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia who attended college in Arkansas and had been working in Dallas for accounting and consulting firm PwC.

Guyger was arrested on a manslaughter charge three days after the Sept. 6 shooting of Jean, 26, prompting criticism that the original charge was too lenient. But Johnson said at the time that the grand jury could upgrade the charges, which it did Friday.

Guyger told investigators that after finishing her shift, she returned home in her uniform and parked on the fourth floor of her apartment complex’s garage, rather than the third floor, where her unit was located, according to an affidavit prepared by the Texas Rangers. She said she got to what she thought was her apartment — Jean’s was directly above hers — and found the door ajar. She opened it to find a figure standing in the darkness. She said she pulled her gun and fired twice after the person ignored her commands.

Guyger has since been fired from the department and Jean’s family has filed a lawsuit against Guyger and the city of Dallas. The federal lawsuit argues Guyger used excessive force in the shooting and contends the department did not give her adequate training.