In a public statement, Ft. Worth Police Chief Ed Kraus said that the officer who shot and killed 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson in her home as she played video games with her nephew has resigned from the police department. Reading from prepared remarks, Kraus said that had the officer not resigned, he would have been fired for violating several policies, including by not identifying himself as a police officer when he approached her bedroom window and drew his gun on Jefferson.
Furthermore, Kraus said that because the officer resigned, his identity is no longer protected by state law. Kraus identified him as Aaron Dean and said that he was personally seeking regular updates about the investigation. Kraus promised additional information this week, including about possible charges.
NBC News reports that Jefferson’s family members want Dean to be arrested and charged with her murder. "This man murdered someone. He should be arrested," Darius Carr, Jefferson's brother, told reporters.
The family’s attorney is also asking the Department of Justice to investigate the excessive use of force that led to the tragedy.
Lee Merritt, an attorney for the family, called the Fort Worth police department's response to the situation "absurd" and said he was asking the U.S. Department of Justice to "come in and take a conscious look at the policies and procedures that allow something like this to happen."
The response to the wellness check by Fort Worth police, Merritt added, was "the equivalent of SWAT" — involving several officers "prowling" around the property before opening fire without ever identifying themselves as police.
Over the weekend, Daily Kos’ Jessica Sutherland wrote extensively about the case and the reaction, a highly recommended read.
It goes without saying that all Americans should be able to live without fear of being murdered by police for minor infractions, or in the case of Atatiana Jefferson, for no lawbreaking whatsoever. Black lives matter, and we must all stand up to demand police department policies nationwide are reformed to protect ALL citizens. And the fastest way to reform police departments is for you to demand it at the local level.