FORT WORTH, TX. (THECOUNT) — A Texas grand jury on Friday indicted former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean for murder after fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson, who had been babysitting her nephew at home.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the indictment for the former officer, Dean, 35, in the shooting death of Jefferson, a 28-year-old pre-med graduate student.
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Lee Merritt, an attorney for Jefferson’s family, tweeted that they are relieved with the indictment, but “remain cautious that a conviction and appropriate sentence is still a long way away,” reports NBCNews.
In the week after Jefferson’s death, Tarrant County prosecutors said they had enough evidence to ask for the grand jury indictment, and said in a statement “we will prosecute this case to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case led to a rare murder charge against a police officer in the United States, when Dean was initially arrested just days after the incident occurred. He resigned from the Fort Worth Police Department prior to his arrest.
“Had the officer not resigned, I would have fired him for violations for several policies, including our use of force policy, our de-escalation policy and unprofessional conduct,” Police Chief Ed Kraus told reporters.
Police bodycam video showed Dean approaching the door of the home where Jefferson was caring for her 8-year-old nephew early Saturday. He then walked around the side of the house, pushed through a gate into the fenced-off backyard and fired through the glass a split-second after shouting at Jefferson to show her hands.
James Smith said he called the non-emergency police number to request a welfare check at his neighbor’s house. He said he saw the lights on and the front door open, what he never expected was police to arrive and shoot his neighbor, Atatiana Jefferson, through a window as she stand in her own home.
Bodycam footage showed a screen door closed but the front door open at the house. The lights were on inside. The officer did not appear to knock and could not be heard announcing himself at the doorway. Suddenly shots rang out.
Smith said he didn’t understand the officer’s response.
“I called my police department for a welfare check. No domestic violence, no arguing, nothing that they should have been concerned about as far as them coming with guns drawn to my neighbor’s house,” Smith said.
Jefferson was killed in a bedroom, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office.
The Fort Worth Police Department admitted that one of their officers shot the woman through the window of her home while responding to an “open structure” call, according to Saturday reports.
Police say they responded to around 2:23 a.m. in the 1200 block of E. Allen Ave. after receiving a call of a front door of a residence that was open.
When officers arrived on scene, they established a perimeter around the house.
At some point, officers observed an individual standing inside the house near a window.
One of the officers then perceived what he believed was a threat and opened fire, striking the person. Upon further investigation it was determined the person shot was a woman.
Officers rendered medical aid, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene, reports DFWScanner.
Police say the deceased female lived at the residence.
Officials say a weapon was recovered from inside the house.
The age and identity of the victim has not been released at this time.
No further information was provided.
DEVELOPING::
Geo quick facts: Fort Worth is a city in North Central Texas. In the late 19th century, it became an important trading post for cowboys at the end of the Chisholm Trail. Today, it’s a modern city, with international art institutions like the Kimbell Art Museum. The Fort Worth Stockyards are home to rodeos, and the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors pioneers – wikipedia.