In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the Fort Worth City Council approved an $11,250,000 settlement for the family of Atatiana Jefferson, a 23‑year‑old woman who was shot and killed by a Fort Worth police officer inside her Hillside neighborhood home in October 2019. The payment resolves every civil claim the city faces related to the tragic incident.
Council’s rationale
Council member Chris Nettles described the settlement as a reflection of the city’s responsibility to its residents. “We know that this amount of money is not necessarily justice to her life, but it’s what we can do as a council,” Nettles said during the meeting. He added that most council members were not in office when the shooting occurred, but they worked with city attorneys and staff to secure what he called “justice for this family.”
Background of the case
On October 12, 2019, then‑officer Aaron Dean responded to an “open structure” call at Jefferson’s home and fired his weapon, killing her. Dean was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced in 2022 to 11 years, 10 months, and 12 days in prison. In 2023, the city settled a separate claim for $3.5 million with Jefferson’s nephew, Zion Carr, who was eight years old and present during the shooting.
Community response
James Smith, the neighbor who initially called the police non‑emergency line on the morning of the shooting, addressed the council while holding a photograph of Jefferson. He urged council members to remember her voice, recalling that he heard her in his head say, “Don’t let them get away with this.” Smith emphasized that the settlement is more than a financial transaction; it is a statement that such police shootings must not continue.
Legal fees for the officer
The settlement comes weeks after the city authorized an additional $100,000 in legal fees for Dean’s defense lawyer, raising the total allowable legal fees to $200,000. City officials have not commented on the timing of the fee increase relative to the settlement.
Implications for the community
The approval signals Fort Worth’s willingness to address police‑related civil claims and to provide compensation to victims’ families, aligning with broader calls for accountability and transparency in law‑enforcement practices. While the settlement does not overturn the criminal conviction, it offers a measure of restitution to the Jefferson family and underscores the council’s role in responding to community concerns.
Looking ahead
City leaders indicated that the council will continue to monitor civil claims involving law‑enforcement actions and will seek ways to improve police‑community relations. The settlement also raises questions about the city’s budget allocations for legal expenses and future civil liabilities.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
