Source: Stewart F. House / Getty
Joshua Brown was reportedly shot and killed on Friday (Oct. 4) at an apartment complex near Dallas’ Medical District. Why this particular homicide is raising eyebrows is because the victim was a “key witness” in the trial of Amber Guyger, the ex-cop convicted of murdering Botham Jean.
Brown was a neighbor of both Guyger and Jean, he lived across the hall from Jean, and testified at the trial.
The Dallas Morning News reports that Brown was shot in the back and thigh, per a source speaking anonymously.
There are currently no suspects in Brown’s death. Many are calling for an independent inquiry into his death due to little faith in the Dallas PD.
The coincidence of Guyger being sentenced and Brown being murdered in the same week sent Twitter down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole. Peep some of the more poignant reactions below.
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It’s not a mystery what happened here. Joshua Brown got murdered because he helped put Amber in jail. She killed an innocent man and another innocent man was killed. Protect the lady who recorded the video bc this is horrific. #Justice4JoshuaBrown
— Ralphie Laurent (@TaylorLaurrenn) October 6, 2019
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Just when we caught a glimpse of justice for Botham Jean, much of it feels stolen back with the murder of Joshua Brown, a key witness in the case.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 6, 2019
My heart breaks for his family and for everyone touched by this tragedy. We must get to the bottom of this injustice. https://t.co/2ik9EhvSeh
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Im not the conspiracy type, but an outside agency needs to investigate the @DallasPD for the murder of Joshua Brown.
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) October 6, 2019
Joshua was a neighbor of Botham Jean and Amber Guyger and a key witness who testified against Guyger. Now he’s suddenly dead? #Justice4JoshuaBrown #BothamJean pic.twitter.com/IZcQHadlaH
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I don’t know who fired the shots. But I’m convinced that #JoshuaBrown would still be alive if he hadn’t testified against #BothamJean killer.
— Margaret Kimberley (@freedomrideblog) October 6, 2019
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Figuring out what happened to Joshua Brown will take something we just haven’t mastered yet: Unity. pic.twitter.com/DvsC1BA2hN
— S. Lee Merritt, Esq. (@MeritLaw) October 6, 2019
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Joshua Brown bravely stood up to injustice and helped put Amber Guyger behind bars. Three days later, he was murdered by an unknown assailant.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) October 6, 2019
We grieve with his family and friends, and demand a transparent investigation the people of Dallas can trust. https://t.co/fnIF0tNCMF
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White people, if your heart was warmed by the hug from Botham Jean's brother more than it is broken by yesterday's murder of key witness Joshua Brown, you are racist. Full stop.
— James M. Tilton (@JamesMTilton) October 6, 2019
Too many of us want forgiveness without blame, and that's hypocritical.#Justice4JoshuaBrown
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Don’t forget about Joshua Brown.
— Jacobin (@jacobinmag) October 6, 2019
He was a pivotal witness in The murder of Botham Jean.
He was just murdered.
Do not stop thinking about it. Do not stop talking about it. https://t.co/rRxTHJxQa6
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Top story: @MeritLaw: 'Joshua Brown was shot in his mouth & chest. He was exiting his car at his apt when he was ambushed & shot at close range. His mother asked my office to help find out who murdered her son. She susp… pic.twitter.com/vVY7rqKfht, see more https://t.co/Et5KGABjoe
— Tim Moore (@Sundance09) October 6, 2019