Police: Pelicans guard Dejean-Jones fatally shot in Dallas
DALLAS –New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones was fatally shot on his daughter's first birthday after he mistakenly went to the wrong apartment in Dallas.
A man living at the apartment was sleeping when he heard his front door kicked open, Dallas Police Senior Cpl. DeMarquis Black said in a statement. When Dejean-Jones began kicking at the bedroom door, the man retrieved a handgun and fired.
Officers who responded found Dejean-Jones collapsed in an outdoor passageway, and he later died at a hospital. He was 23.
It is legal in Texas for someone to use deadly force to protect themselves from intruders. Authorities didn't immediately respond to The Associated Press' request for comment Sunday on whether the man may face charges.
Dejean-Jones was visiting his girlfriend for his daughter's first birthday and had gone for a walk, according to his agent, Scott W. Nichols. His girlfriend lives on the fourth floor, and Dejean-Jones, who was visiting the complex for the first time, went to the third.
Julie Keel, a spokeswoman for Camden Property Trust, the real estate company that owns the apartment complex in Dallas, confirmed that the complex's apartment manager had sent out an email to residents saying that the person who had been shot had been trying to break into "the apartment of an estranged acquaintance" and that this person had "inadvertently" broken into the wrong apartment.
In Dejean-Jones' only NBA season, which ended in February because of a broken right wrist, the 6-foot-6 guard started 11 of 14 games and averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds.
Pelicans' Bryce Dejean-Jones suffered gun shot to abdomen late Friday, bled to death. Full story coming on passing of promising 23-year-old.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 28, 2016Trending News
The New Orleans Pelicans released the following statement on Dejean-Jones's passing:
Please keep Bryce’s family and friends in your prayers during this difficult time https://t.co/5DCXUOFL0I pic.twitter.com/HToZJ4tRSu
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) May 28, 2016