On Oct. 12, 2019, Jefferson was killed by a Fort Worth police officer. A neighbor had known as in a welfare verify proper earlier than the taking pictures.
FORT WORTH, Texas — On Oct. 12, 2019, a Fort Worth police officer was responding to a welfare verify name close to the 1200 block of East Allen Avenue.
Bodycam footage confirmed an officer standing exterior of the entrance door of a house that night, earlier than he walked across the facet of the home, opening a gate to the yard.
The officer was in the yard when he turned towards a window. The officer yelled earlier than firing as soon as by means of the window.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office mentioned Atatiana Jefferson, 28, died in her bed room.
In the three years since her death, Jefferson’s household continues to be calling for justice and holding occasions in her honor.
The former officer accused of taking pictures and killing her, Aaron Dean, continues to be awaiting trial. Dean faces homicide expenses in Jefferson’s death. The trial has been delayed and pushed again attributable to a number of causes, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, however it’s scheduled to start with jury choice on Nov. 28.
The welfare verify name
A neighbor mentioned he had known as the Fort Worth non-emergency police quantity to request a welfare verify for his neighbor after he mentioned he noticed lights on and the entrance door open. According to the police division, officers had responded to an “open structure call,” which is totally different than a wellness verify. It wasn’t clear why the decision got here in beneath open construction as a substitute.
Bodycam footage confirmed a display screen door closed at Jefferson’s dwelling, however the entrance door open. Lights had been additionally on in the home. Dean did not seem to knock or was heard saying himself on the doorway on the footage.
Dean had mentioned he shot by means of the window “perceiving a threat.” Right earlier than he shot by means of the window, he might be heard on bodycam footage shouting “Put your hands up. Show me your hands!”
Fort Worth police mentioned Jefferson had grabbed her gun in the moments main as much as the taking pictures. When Dean noticed her with it, he shot her, police mentioned.
First support was administered to Jefferson, however she died on the scene.
Her nephew, Zion, had been in the house on the time of the taking pictures. Zion, who was 8 years previous on the time, had been taking part in video video games together with his aunt.
Who was Atatiana Jefferson?
Jefferson had a biology diploma and liked every part about science. She was additionally an avid gamer. Her household mentioned she had hoped to encourage her nephew, Zion.
The two shared a love of video video games, in response to her household. Amber Carr, Jefferson’s sister, mentioned “Tay” was giving Zion construction, educating him accountability and holding him accountable.
“Tay” was what Zion known as Jefferson.
In the years since her death. Jefferson’s household mentioned she has impressed them to maintain her ardour alive for members of her group.
The Atatiana Project was created in 2020, with the hope to show kids to science, expertise, engineering and math, or STEM, and create a love for science like Jefferson had.
“How can we make this tragedy some kind of victory?” Carr mentioned in 2020. “We don’t want to be angry all the time. We don’t want to be upset even though we are hurt, and that hurt is never going to go anywhere.”
Also in 2020, the Fort Worth City Council voted to rename a foremost thoroughfare in east Fort Worth from East Allen Avenue at Interstate 35 West to East Maddox Avenue at U.S. Highway 287 after Jefferson. The Atatiana Jefferson Memorial Parkway now runs close to her dwelling.
What occurs subsequent for Aaron Dean?
Dean resigned from his position as a Fort Worth police officer earlier than former Chief Ed Kraus might hearth him.
Dean’s trial was initially scheduled to start in the spring of 2022, after a delay from the COVID-19 pandemic. Several setbacks later pushed the trial to start with jury choice on Nov. 28 and a trial begin date of Dec. 5.
Dean faces a homicide cost in Jefferson’s death.
story by The Texas Tribune (*3*)
