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Bryce Dejean-Jones: NBA Player Reportedly Killed For Entering Wrong Apartment

By Leigh Egan
Published on: 05:37 PST, May 29, 2016

New Orleans Pelican player Bryce Dejean-Jones was fatally shot on Saturday in Dallas, Texas, and according to his agent, the incident happened after the NBA rookie entered the wrong apartment after taking a walk.

CNN reports that a resident reportedly heard someone kicking in the front door of his apartment, at the Camden Belmont Apartments off of Bennett Ave., in Dallas, on Saturday night. The resident told police, “he called out to the individual, but was not answered.” When Dejean-Jones busted in the bedroom door, the resident started firing his gun. The basketball player was taken to a local hospital, but died from an abdomen gunshot wound.

Dejean-Jones’ agent, Scott Nichols, said that the NBA player was in Dallas visiting his girlfriend, and he had only been to her new apartment for the first time earlier that day. Later that night, when going back to the apartment after taking a walk outside, he went to the third floor unit and tried to open an apartment door, but his girlfriend’s apartment was on the fourth floor.

Dallas police spokesman DeMarquis Black stated that so far, there’s no evidence to suggest that Dejean-Jones was attempting to break into an apartment, had any firearms, or that he knew the resident that shot him.

“There is no information that suggests the deceased Bryce Dejean-Jones knew the apartment resident, or was armed as he entered the apartment.”

When questioned why Dejean-Jones was kicking the front door, Nichols explained that his client went out for a walk to cool off while his girlfriend and 1-year-old remained at the apartment. When he returned, he thought his girlfriend locked him out and was still inside, since she was there with their baby before he left.

“He went to the wrong apartment unfortunately and I think he thought his girlfriend locked him out, so he was knocking on the door, banging on the door, it’s locked. So one thing led to another.”

ESPN reports that Dejean-Jones was allegedly in an argument with his girlfriend prior to the shooting. It’s still unknown if alcohol or drugs played a part in the incident, according to police. It will be a few weeks before the toxicology report is available.

Dejean-Jones signed a 3-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans just three months before he was killed. He started in the majority of the team’s 2015-16 games before surgery on his right wrist forced him to miss the rest of the season. After learning of his death, his teammates issues a statement, offering their condolences.

“It is with deep sadness that the Pelicans organization acknowledges the sudden passing of Bryce Dejean-Jones. We are devastated at the loss of this young man’s life who had such a promising future ahead of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s family during this difficult time.”

Prior to joining the Pelicans, Dejean-Jones played college basketball for the USC Trojans, UNLV Rebels, and the Iowa State Cyclones. He joined the Iowa State basketball team for the 2014-2015 season after graduating from UNLV. Former Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg remembered how dedicated and passionate Dejean-Jones was when playing basketball, and how his work ethic landed him a contract with the NBA.

“We are deeply saddened to learn the tragic news about Bryce. I’m grateful that our paths crossed in this life. Bryce was a passionate and talented player that lived out his dream of playing in the NBA through hard work and perseverance. It’s an incredibly sad day for me and all of Iowa State University. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce’s family.”

An investigation is still underway regarding Bryce Dejean-Jones’ death. So far, no arrests have been made.

[Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images]

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