On Sept. 6, 2018, Amber Guyger shot Botham Jean. She thought Jean was an intruder in her home. Botham Jean was sitting on his couch eating vanilla ice cream and watching TV when Dallas police officer Amber Guyger mistakenly walked into his apartment.
The shooting sparked outrage across the country, many calling it another sad example of a white police officer killing an unarmed black man. Defense attorneys have said, “There is no evidence to suggest the shooting was racially motivated”, says WFAA, an ABC television station licensed to Dallas, Texas, as they reported on the Amber Guyger story.
Key Points In The Killing
According to WFAA news, there are several things that look different in and out side of the apartment. There was a bright red doormat outside Jean’s apartment and his apartment was the only one with such a noticeable doormat. Jean’s apartment was not as neat as Guyger’s. Jean’s TV, which was on when he was shot, was much larger than Guyger’s. Guyger entered in as Jean hadn’t locked his door when he returned home from running an errand.
Should We Forgive Guyger?
There are different opinions on what Guyger did, but some key people forgave her, namely Brandt Jean who was Botham Jean’s brother. He said he forgave her and wishes her the best. During the sentencing hearing, Jean’s brother Brandt testified that he forgave Guyger and asked the judge if he could get down to hug Guyger according to CNN who also reported on the case. Judge Tammy Kemp gave Guyger a Bible and a hug while in the courtroom, after Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison, “a sentence many have called inadequate” says CNN.
Justice or Forgiveness?
Guyger got forgiveness and justice, but would that always be the case? Not forgiving someone can hurt your life, but does that mean you should not receive justice for what was done to you? Living in a world with only justice and no forgiveness is not good, but living in a world with only forgiveness and no justice is also not good. We need a perfect balance of the two but only God can provide perfect balance. That balance will be achieved in a person’s life or at their judgement. God forgives his people, as justice is still required, but God’s wrath was satisfied through Jesus on the cross. Those who do not have salvation in Christ will still get justice on judgment day, as God gives them exactly what they deserve.
Proverbs 24:12
12 If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
Revelation 20: 11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence oearth and sky fled away, and pno place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and qbooks were opened. Then another book was opened, which is rthe book of life. And sthe dead were judged by what was written in the books, taccording to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, uDeath and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, taccording to what they had done. 14 Then uDeath and Hades vwere thrown into the lake of fire. This is wthe second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, xhe was thrown into the lake of fire.
“because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
Written by 13 year old Sierra, contributor for Teach Them Right.
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