Fort Worth proposes $11.25 million settlement in Atatiana Jefferson case

The City of Fort Worth has proposed an $11.25 million settlement with the estate of Atatiana Jefferson to resolve civil claims following her death in 2019. The Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal on August 25. If approved, the settlement must also receive probate court approval to become final.

Jefferson was 28 years old when former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean shot and killed her through a bedroom window during a welfare check at her home in October 2019. Dean was subsequently convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to over 11 years in prison.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement, Jefferson’s two minor nephews would receive a larger portion of the funds, which will be held in trusts until they reach age 18. The remaining funds will be distributed among her surviving family members. This follows a previous $3.5 million settlement approved in 2023 for Jefferson’s nephew, Zion Carr, who witnessed the shooting.