New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones died early Saturday morning in Dallas, the Dallas Police Department and Dallas County Medical Examiner's office told USA TODAY Sports.
Police said Dejean-Jones was shot and that the homicide unit is conducting an investigation. While not naming Dejean-Jones, an email notification was sent to residents of the apartment complex Saturday about the incident.
"An individual who believed to be breaking into the apartment of an estranged acquaintance inadvertently broke into the wrong apartment," Joshua Pool, a manager at the Camden Belmont located northeast of downtown Dallas, wrote in an email obtained by USA TODAY Sports. "After breaking in, the intruder was shot and later taken via ambulance to a local hospital. Fortunately, no residents were injured."
Officers arrived at the scene of the shooting at about 3:20 a.m. and were told by a resident that Dejean-Jones had kicked open the front door and entered his apartment, according to a statement released on the Dallas police website. The resident said he heard Dejean-Jones enter and retrieved a handgun and shot Dejean-Jones.
"He stated he called out to the individual, but was not answered," police said. "As the individual kicked the bedroom door, the resident fired his gun. The individual left the apartment and collapsed in the breezeway. The individual was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.”
Dallas police said in a statement "there is no information that suggests" Dejean-Jones knew the resident of the apparent he broke into, and added that Dejean-Jones was not armed.
“I heard the sirens early this morning after my dog began to freak out,” Aaron Dannelley, who lives at the Camden Belmont apartments, told USA TODAY Sports. “You hear about an occasional break-in, but never something like this.”
The Pelicans released a statement Saturday afternoon:
"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.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver added the following: "“The NBA family mourns the tragic loss of New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce Dejean-Jones. Bryce inspired countless people with his hard work and perseverance on his journey to the NBA, and he had a bright future in our league. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Bryce's family and the entire Pelicans organization during this difficult time.”
Dejean-Jones, who went undrafted but signed a three-year deal with the Pelicans in February, was 23. He played for three different schools in college before finishing at Iowa State.
He averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in 14 appearances this season.
