DALLAS — Come Saturday, a portion of Lamar Street, including in front of the Dallas Police Department, will bear the name of Botham Jean — a 26-year-old Black man killed by then-Officer Amber Guyger in 2018, who allegedly mistook her apartment for his and believed he was an intruder. The City of Dallas plans to host a renaming ceremony for Botham Jean Boulevard, which will span about four miles.

What You Need To Know

  • Botham Jean, 26, was shot and killed on Sept. 6, 2018, by then-Dallas Police Department Officer Amber Guyger

  • In Sept. 2019, a jury found Guyger guilty of murder, and she was sentenced to 10 years in prison

  • The unveiling will take place at noon, according to city officials 

  • The portion of Lamar Street to be renamed Botham Jean Boulevard spans nearly four miles from Interstate 30 to South Central Expressway

On Jan. 13, city council members voted unanimously to rename the street. The change will take place between Interstate 30 and South Central Expressway. During the meeting, those in support of the street renaming spoke during the public comments segment, including Jean’s mother— Allison Jean.

“Mayor Mike Rawlings stated immediately following Botham’s death in 2018 and I quote, ‘Botham Jean was exactly the sort of citizen we want to have in the city of Dallas— a professional, a believer in his church, a neighbor to his friends. A man that always had a smile on his face and for that reason this is a terrible, terrible thing that has happened. Not only has he lost his life, but also a potential leader for this city.”

Botham Jean’s sister, Allisa Findley, also reflected on her brother, describing his death as the “darkest time” for her family.

“Botham loved the city of Dallas and often urged me to move to Dallas with him from New York to the point where my last visit with him in May 2018 he took me to so many subdivisions to try to sway me to move out with him,” Findley said. “That was the last time I got to hug my brother.”

Convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison back in September 2019, Guyger shot Jean on Sept. 6, 2018 in his fourth-floor unit at the South Side Flats — down the street from Dallas police’s headquarters — located in the 1200 block of South Lamar Street. Guyger, whose apartment was directly below Jean’s, told police she came home from working a long shift and was disoriented, which led her to his doorstep. The Harding University graduate, of St. Lucia, was unarmed.

Following her conviction, Guyger filed an appeal. Next month, the Fifth District Court of Appeals will take up her case. Back in September, the Jean family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the South Side Flats. Additionally, the family has an active lawsuit in federal court against Guyger and the City of Dallas.

Spectrum News 1 previously reported that changes to the street signage would cost the city approximately $20,000. Also, the state will have to pay for any costs associated with signs on the highway that need to be changed. City officials say 122 property owners were notified of the potential name change last spring, but less than 20 responded with either support or denial letters. Business owners on the street will incur the cost of changing the address on such things as business cards.

At noon, the city will unveil the new sign. For those unable to attend, the event will be streamed live. Allison Jean and other members of Botham Jean’s family will be in attendance, per city officials. 

To view the event, click here: http://youtube.com/CityOfDallasCityHall .