TX - Atatiana Jefferson, 28, fatally shot at home, Fort Worth, Oct 2019 *officer charged*

[imstilla.grandma]

“I want justice for my sister,” Ashley Carr said. “I want her death not to be in vain.”

She said her sister was a pre-med graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, who dropped her career ambitions to return home to Texas to care for their ailing mother. She said Jefferson was also helping their sister, Amber, who recently underwent heart surgery, raise her two young children, including their 8-year-old nephew, Zion, who witnessed her being shot to death.

“We obeyed laws. We didn’t walk in fear because we did what we thought was right,” she told ABC News. “Now you could still do what’s right, but it’s coming with fear, and that’s scary.”

“I want everyone to remember my sister like I remember her: Just a fun-loving, easy-going, hilarious young lady who just wanted to serve and be better, make sure our family was good,” he said. “A very beautiful soul, absolutely. My life is upside down without her.”
Texas officer who fatally shot woman in her home arrested on murder charges | Daily Dodge

 

[Woodland]

So many great posts in this thread - thanks to all for the thoughts and perspective.

Imo, there is a problem with this acting chief of police. It's great he's moving fast, however he is investigating himself contrary to what the family and much of the community want to see happen. He is keeping other LE out of the loop which imo means he doesn't want others looking over his shoulder and letting the public know about a few problems within.

One issue that is trying to emerge here, again imo, is the change in the call from a 'welfare check to 'open structure' and now possibly to 'burglary'. What happened? Who made a change that essentially elevated the call?

This is not going to be open and shut imo - others on this police force may have played a crucial role in this disaster. If so, this will lessen the consequences for Dean - possibly rightly so.

Sounds like this force is a mess from top to bottom. Jmo.

 

[Wishbone]

Fort Worth officer jailed on murder charge after fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson

 

[grammieto5]

Kraus said Dean's paperwork will reflect he was dishonorably discharged from the department and that with his civil service protection no longer in force he was able to release his name.

Kraus admitted Monday that it was inappropriate to release the photo even though it was something the department had done in the past to show what the perceived threat may have been.

In hindsight, Kraus said, "It was a bad thing to do."

Kraus said he did not know whether Jefferson was holding the gun when the officers approached in the backyard but that the gun was found near the window where the fatal shot was fired.

"We're homeowners in Texas ... Most of us, if we thought we had somebody outside our house that shouldn't be, and we had access to a firearm, we would be acting very similarly to how she was acting," he said.

Dean has retained an attorney provided with financial support from the state's largest police union, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, according to Manny Ramirez, president of the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.

Ramirez confirmed he was on the scene of the shooting, but did not take a statement from Dean.

The union president spoke out and urged the department for a thorough and transparent investigation.

"We're just standing here voicing for the remaining 1,600 police officers just how deeply we feel the loss of Atatiana," he said. bbm
Fort Worth Officer Charged With Murder After Deadly Shooting

1st bold....Chief Kraus, how was the victim acting? OH yeah, she was playing video games with her nephew. And she was protecting her nephew from going to the window when she heard noises outside. The victim should have been safe inside her own home. It's not like she was sitting on the couch watching a football game and eating ice cream.

 

[grammieto5]

So even though he resigned he’s still entitled to a lawyer from the union? They’ll surround him and protect him.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“If you can’t feel safe with the police department, then who do you feel safe with?” he asked. “They tell you if you see something, say something ... but if it causes someone to lose their life, it makes you not want to do that. It’s sad in this society.”
Neighbor of slain Texas woman regrets calling the police

 

[Momof4RN]

Aaron Dean is not cooperating. Per Chief.

@TexLil thank u so much for the updates on presser. I’ve been at work all day and nice to come home to see the updates here. Thank you!

 

[imstilla.grandma]

CLEAT’s Statement Re: Fort Worth OIS (10/12/2019) | CLEAT

https://www.cleat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CLEAT-Statement_Ft.-Worth-OIS.jpg
*I’ve been to some of their seminars and conferences. Excellent. Superb.

 

[Momof4RN]

He’s been booked and arrested for murder

Allison Harris (@AllisonFox4News) on Twitter
Fort Worth police officer who just resigned has been arrested for murder after shooting

Whoah! Wasn’t expecting to come across that tonight! But right and just.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

So even though he resigned he’s still entitled to a lawyer from the union? They’ll surround him and protect him.

In my experience: The relationship and dynamics between the Associations of LE Support, LEAs and lobbyists is critically powerful. It could go either way. Lots of phone conferences and administrative emergency agenda hearings happening behind the scenes. Administrative and Executive Assistants busy as hell right now. imo

 

[imstilla.grandma]

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Momof4RN]

I am disgusted by the tragic unnecessary circumstances of this young woman’s death at the hands of the Police, who should be there to protect not kill. I have served as a police officer for 23 years and yes hindsight is a wonderful thing but come on ..... this officer did not abide by any of his training. Why did he not shout out loud POLICE OFFICER and Is there anybody there ? Come outside with your hands up in the air where I can see the etc etc etc !
I cannot believe nor understand the rationale behind this trigger happy cops decision not only to not shout any communication with possible persons on the premises ( and lets remember that the neighbor although concerned that both doors were open which was unusual , then qualified that by saying both cars were up the drive , and therefore there was a possibility that the owner/occupier was home ), but when he did finally shout, he gave no time for a person ie the victim, to then process this instruction before he opened fire. What was he thinking? Or rather , he wasn’t at all as far as I can see. . There is no communication whatsoever. It’s unfathomable as to why he did not identify himself as a police officer and then enter into dialogue wilts keeping his firearm ready to engage if absolutely necessary . From what I’ve seen so far, there is nothing that can mitigate this extremely sad situation and the fact that a young lady has lost her life and her 8 year old nephew will be severely traumatised for years to come.
There has to be responsibility and accountability from LE in relation to the death of this innocent lady .
It’s a very sad day in the history of law enforcement relations amongst the public which we serve and I can only offer my condolences and apologies and prayers but no matter what, it won’t bring her back. Things MUST CHANGE NOW!!!

Thank you @Angleterre for your service and thank you for being here to provide thoughts from a police officers point of view. I’ve been wondering what other officers may be thinking. Good to have you here.

 

[sds71]

Ofc. Daniels added
@fortworthpd
are working with
@TarrantCountyDA
and the separate criminal and criminal investigations into fmr. cop #AaronDean killing #AtatianaJefferson are ongoing. More details from police chief at press conference tomorrow. See you then.
@CourthouseNews

 

[imstilla.grandma]

I am disgusted by the tragic unnecessary circumstances of this young woman’s death at the hands of the Police, who should be there to protect not kill. I have served as a police officer for 23 years and yes hindsight is a wonderful thing but come on ..... this officer did not abide by any of his training. Why did he not shout out loud POLICE OFFICER and Is there anybody there ? Come outside with your hands up in the air where I can see the etc etc etc !
I cannot believe nor understand the rationale behind this trigger happy cops decision not only to not shout any communication with possible persons on the premises ( and lets remember that the neighbor although concerned that both doors were open which was unusual , then qualified that by saying both cars were up the drive , and therefore there was a possibility that the owner/occupier was home ), but when he did finally shout, he gave no time for a person ie the victim, to then process this instruction before he opened fire. What was he thinking? Or rather , he wasn’t at all as far as I can see. . There is no communication whatsoever. It’s unfathomable as to why he did not identify himself as a police officer and then enter into dialogue wilts keeping his firearm ready to engage if absolutely necessary . From what I’ve seen so far, there is nothing that can mitigate this extremely sad situation and the fact that a young lady has lost her life and her 8 year old nephew will be severely traumatised for years to come.
There has to be responsibility and accountability from LE in relation to the death of this innocent lady .
It’s a very sad day in the history of law enforcement relations amongst the public which we serve and I can only offer my condolences and apologies and prayers but no matter what, it won’t bring her back. Things MUST CHANGE NOW!!!

 

[Hope4More]

Didn't we just finish doing this cop killing someone in their own Texas home thing?

One huge thing off the bat different, though: what powerful words by Fort Worth's mayor, her unequivocal statement that the shooting was unjustifiable and wrong, and her apologies, including to that poor man & neighbor for the enormous guilt he feels for asking LE to do a welfare check.

Followed by a murder charge within days, and another public statement that Dean would have been fired if he hadn't resigned.

Sure is starting off different, anyway.

 

[GMG1999]

So many great posts in this thread - thanks to all for the thoughts and perspective.

Imo, there is a problem with this acting chief of police. It's great he's moving fast, however he is investigating himself contrary to what the family and much of the community want to see happen. He is keeping other LE out of the loop which imo means he doesn't want others looking over his shoulder and letting the public know about a few problems within.

One issue that is trying to emerge here, again imo, is the change in the call from a 'welfare check to 'open structure' and now possibly to 'burglary'. What happened? Who made a change that essentially elevated the call?

This is not going to be open and shut imo - others on this police force may have played a crucial role in this disaster. If so, this will lessen the consequences for Dean - possibly rightly so.

Sounds like this force is a mess from top to bottom. Jmo.

I read somewhere that the FBI had been called in to help.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Atatiana Jefferson was dead. She was 28 years old. According to her family’s lawyer, she was playing video games with her young nephew when they heard “rustling” outside and “saw flashlights.” There was a gun in the house, but there’s no indication (yet) that she was holding it in her hand.

But what if she was? Does a homeowner not have a right to investigate someone lurking on her property? Can she not arm herself at 2:30 a.m. when she hears a strange sound in the darkness?
Police Should Not Be Able to Use ‘Split-Second Decision’ Defense When They Create the Crisis | National Review

 

[mickey2942]

Fort Worth officer jailed on murder charge after fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson

Interesting. That was quick.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In fatal officer-involved shootings, police seldom face criminal charges, and they are rarely charged with murder.

The prosecution of the officer is likely to serve as a stress test of relations between law enforcement and the black community in the region...Local leaders have called for a probe of the department, and Jefferson’s family and their attorney want an independent review of Jefferson’s killing, saying they worry race may have played a role.

The department has also asked the FBI to review Dean’s actions for possible civil rights violations, according to the chief.

“Unlike Botham Jean, I don’t want no hug. That’s my one and only daughter,” Marquis Jefferson said. “I’ll never forget that.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...ce-shooting-atatiana-jefferson-investigation/

 

[imstilla.grandma]

ABC News