Jefferson’s two nephews, both minors, will receive more of the share than they would have otherwise, the city said, to be placed in a trust until they turn 18.
FORT WORTH, Texas — The city of Fort Worth has proposed to pay the family of Atatiana Jefferson $11.25 million as part of a settlement agreement following her 2019 shooting death at the hands of a Fort Worth police officer.
Pursuant to the agreement, the city says Jefferson’s two nephews, both minors, will receive more of the share than they would have otherwise. It will be placed in a trust until they each reach of the age of 18.
Additional shares of the settlement will be divided between Jefferson’s surviving family, the city said.
“Atatiana Jefferson’s family and loved ones have suffered a profound and unimaginable loss,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a statement. “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.”
The proposed settlement will be presented to council members during their Aug. 25 meeting for consideration. Should council members approve the proposal, it will still need to be approved by the probate court before it is finalized.
“For nearly seven years, I’ve seen the pain, resilience and determination of a community that has never stopped calling for understanding and a better path forward,” District 8 Council Member Chris Nettles, who represents the district where the shooting happened, said in a statement. “I believe this agreement allows us to continue the difficult but necessary work of bringing people together, honoring her memory and building a stronger future for generations to come.”
On the night of the incident, Oct. 12, 2019, a neighbor of Jefferson’s had called police for a welfare check. Footage showed the responding officer, Aaron Dean, standing outside the front door of a home that evening before walking around the side of the house and opening a gate to the backyard.
Dean turned to a window in the backyard and yelled before firing once through the window, striking Jefferson, who the Tarrant County Mediacl Examiner’s Office said died in her bedroom.
Dean stood trial more than three years later, in December 2022, where he was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in prison.
Ashley Carr, Jefferson’s sister, shared the following statement from her family:
“Today brings the legal conclusion of one chapter in our family’s journey following the tragic death of Atatiana.
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. The officer responsible for Atatiana’s death was convicted and sentenced to prison, and now her family has reached a civil resolution with the City of Fort Worth.
We recognize how uncommon it is for families impacted by police violence to receive accountability on both fronts, and we do not take that for granted. We know there are countless families who have fought, and continue to fight, for the accountability and justice they deserve.
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.
No verdict, sentence, or settlement can replace our beloved Atatiana, a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend whose life was taken far too soon. We have carried that loss every day since October 12, 2019.
For us, accountability has never been about a single verdict, sentence, or settlement. It has always been about ensuring that Atatiana’s life mattered, that what happened to her was acknowledged, and that her life was remembered.
Our family has always sought accountability, transparency, and justice, not only for Atatiana, but in the hope that no other family has to endure what we have experienced. We hope this outcome reinforces that every life has value, every family deserves answers, and accountability under the law matters.
We also understand that our family’s legal journey reaching this point does not mean the larger work is finished. There are still families across this country fighting to have their loved ones’ names heard, their stories acknowledged, and those responsible held accountable. We stand with those families and will continue to use Atatiana’s name and legacy to advocate for meaningful change.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has stood with us through your prayers, advocacy, compassion, and unwavering support over the years. Your love has helped carry us through some of the most difficult moments of our lives.
As we move forward, we remain committed to honoring Atatiana’s legacy through The Atatiana Project, through service to our community, and through work that creates opportunities for young people and ensures that Atatiana is remembered for the life she lived and the impact she continues to have.
This settlement closes a legal chapter, but it does not close Atatiana’s story. Her name, her life, and her legacy will continue.
We ask that our family be given the space and privacy to process this moment together.
With gratitude,
Atatiana’s Family”
John J. Coyle, lead counsel for Jefferson’s estate, shared the following statement in regards to the proposed settlement:
Atatiana Jefferson’s death was a profound tragedy that never should have happened. She was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, aunt and friend—a young woman with a bright future whose life was taken far too soon. No settlement can restore that life or erase the pain her family and loved ones have endured.
From the beginning, McEldrew Purtell, along with our partners at the Merritt Law Firm, Reed Smith LLP, and the MacArthur Justice Center, was honored to stand beside Ms. Jefferson’s family in their pursuit of justice and accountability. We approached this case with a simple conviction: Ms. Jefferson’s life mattered, and her family deserved answers, accountability, and justice.
We are proud of the result we have achieved and of the significant settlement reached on behalf of the Estate. While no financial recovery can ever make a family whole after the loss of a loved one, this resolution represents an important measure of accountability and provides Ms. Jefferson’s family the opportunity to move forward.
