Fort Worth Council Approves $11.25 Million Settlement for Atatiana Jefferson Family

A unanimous vote by the Fort Worth city council cleared an $11.25 million settlement for the family of Atatiana Jefferson, who was fatally shot by former police officer Aaron Dean in 2019. Dean and a colleague responded to a non-emergency call about an open door at Jefferson’s home in the early morning hours, and Dean shot her through a window after she retrieved a gun, killing her in view of her 8-year-old nephew. Dean resigned shortly after the incident and was later sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for manslaughter.

Under the settlement, Jefferson’s two minor nephews will receive their shares in a trust when they turn 18, while the rest of the money will be split among other surviving relatives. The agreement now moves to the probate court for final approval. This resolution concludes a long-standing dispute over the city’s liability in the fatal shooting.