Overview
- The Fort Worth City Council unanimously approved the $11.25 million settlement on Tuesday, resolving the city’s civil claims related to the 2019 shooting of Atatiana Jefferson.
- The agreement stems from a wrongful-death suit filed by Jefferson’s estate in May 2021 and, according to city materials, resolves all outstanding civil claims tied to her death.
- Under the deal the largest portions will be placed in trusts for Jefferson’s two minor nephews until they turn 18 and the remaining funds will be split among other family members.
- Former officer Aaron Dean was criminally convicted of manslaughter in December 2022 and is serving a sentence of more than 11 years in prison; the civil settlement follows that criminal verdict.
- Jefferson’s family and attorneys framed the settlement as a form of accountability and a resource to support The Atatiana Project and other family needs, and the agreement now moves to probate court for final approval.