The Texas police officer who on Saturday fatally shot Atatiana Tay Jefferson , a 28-year-old Black woman, in her own home after a neighbor requested a wellness check at the residence has resigned, officials said.
Fort Worth Police Chief Ed Kraus said Monday during a news conference that the officer, identified as Aaron Dean, had resigned earlier in the day. Kraus said he intended to fire him, but Dean tendered his resignation before they met.
Dean, who was hired by the department in August 2017, may face criminal charges. Kraus said he expects a substantial update on the criminal case no later than Tuesday. Police have also presented a preliminary case to the FBI for possible civil rights violations, he said.
None of this information can ease the pain of Atatianas family, but I hope it shows the community that we take these incidents seriously, the police chief said.
Officials said Dean, who is white, shot Jefferson though a window of her home around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. He and several other officers showed up to the house minutes after a neighbor called the police departments nonemergency line to express concern over the houses front door being open and lights being on.
Body camera video released Saturday shows Dean entering the backyard of the house, turning left, suddenly grabbing for his gun and pointing it at the window.
Put your hands up! Show me your hands! he can be heard shouting before immediately firing one round through the screen window.
The officers then entered the house and provided emergency medical care to Jefferson, but police said she died at the scene. Theres no indication the officers identified themselves to Jefferson or knocked on the front door of the house before the shooting, officials said.
Jefferson had been playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew moments before she was killed, according to Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney representing the family. Jefferson went to the window when she heard a noise outside and was shot, Merritt said. He said her nephew was in the room at the time and watched her fall to the ground.
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