Fort Worth reaches $11.25 million settlement with Atatiana Jefferson's family

FORT WORTH, Texas - The city of Fort Worth has reached a settlement with the family of Atatiana Jefferson, the woman who was shot and killed by former police officer Aaron Dean.

Dean was convicted of manslaughter in 2022 and is currently serving a nearly 12-year prison sentence.

Settlement in Atatiana Jefferson Case

What we know:

Fort Worth is prepared to pay $11.25 million for Jefferson’s death.

The city has already approved $3.5 million for Zion Carr, the nephew who was with Jefferson when she was killed.

A large portion of the new payout will be divided into trust funds for Carr and another nephew. Other family members, including Jefferson's siblings and biological father in Nigeria, will also get a portion of the money. 

What they're saying:

"Atatiana Jefferson's family and loved ones have suffered a profound and unimaginable loss," Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a news release. "While no settlement can undo the devastating impact of this tragedy, we hope this agreement offers a meaningful measure of closure and allows everyone to move forward."

Ashley Carr shared a statement that said the settlement brings the legal conclusion following her sister’s tragic death.

"This case represents a rare instance in which a family has received accountability both criminally and civilly following the killing of their loved one by a police officer," she said in part. "While we are grateful that Atatiana’s case resulted in both criminal and civil accountability, neither a conviction nor a financial settlement can restore what was taken from our family. Nothing can bring Atatiana home."

Councilman Chris Nettles said the message the settlement sends to the community is "we didn't stop fighting."

"We didn't give up on the option to make sure the family can come to some type of resolution," he said. "We have, I have and this council have worked to make sure that her legacy will live on in Fort Worth."

Nettles said the settlement also shows that Fort Worth accepts it was in the wrong and that one of its officers did something he should have never done.

What's next:

The Fort Worth City Council must still approve the settlement on Aug. 25.

Atatiana Jefferson’s Death

The backstory:

Jefferson was killed inside her mother’s home in 2019 while she was babysitting her 8-year-old nephew.

A neighbor made a non-emergency call to police about an open door. Officer Aaron Dean responded to the call and began checking out the property.

He shot Jefferson through a window. She was in a bedroom and holding a gun after hearing a noise in her backyard.

Dean is serving 12 years in prison for a manslaughter conviction.

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