Following Amber Guyger conviction, a white Texas police officer kills black woman, Atatiana Jefferson, in her home
Article By Samantha Hall // EEW Magazine // Police Shootings
It has not even been two weeks since former Texas police officer Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years for killing an innocent black man, Botham Jean, in his own home.
Now, another white Texas officer has fatally shot a black woman inside her home after being called to do a simple welfare check on the victim.
At approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday, 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson of Fort Worth was inside a residence with her 8-year-old nephew when an unidentified police officer with the Fort Worth Police Department fired through her bedroom window, killing her.
(Photo: Atatiana Jefferson’s family)
It was a tragic end to what began with 62-year-old James Smith, Jefferson's neighbor, being concerned for her safety and calling the local non-emergency number after he saw the victim’s door open and her lights on.
“I'm shaken. I'm mad. I'm upset. And I feel it's partly my fault,” Smith told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “If I had never dialed the police department, she'd still be alive.”
In police bodycam footage that has been released to the public, the officer can be seen walking around, examining the perimeter of the home and peering through windows inside the residence. At no time did the officer knock on the front door, identify himself to Jefferson, or ask any questions about whether or not she was okay—something that seems quite odd for a “welfare check.”
(Photo: Atatiana Jefferson’s family)
At one point, the officer approaches a dark area outside of the house and is seen pulling out his flashlight to gain entrance into Jefferson’s backyard.
Seconds later, the officer looks inside a window, spots the woman, draws his gun and frantically yells, “Put your hands up! Show me your hands!”
He then shoots at Jefferson in less than three seconds without ever identifying himself as a police officer.
Authorities say the officer shot her because she was a perceived threat, and emergency care was administered to the victim inside her home, but she could not be saved. Jefferson died at the scene.
According to a statement, officers did find a firearm in the residence, but it was not revealed if Jefferson was anywhere near the weapon at the time of the incident.
“My blood is boiling,” tweeted activist Shaun King. “She broke no laws and did nothing wrong! Police were called to investigate an open door. We are demanding justice RIGHT NOW.”
Fort Worth Pastor Michael Bell of the Greater St. Stephen First Church criticized police for their characterization of the shooting in their statement, WFAA (ABC 8) reporter Cleo Greene tweeted.
“She had lights on all over,” Bell said. “We’re tired of police lying.”
(Photo: Atatiana Jefferson’s family)
Bell who said there was no threat on the scene, dissected the police statement. “It doesn’t say she pointed a weapon; they found one once he went in,” he noted, according to a video posted by Greene. “The Fort Worth Police Department murdered this woman.”
The yet-to-be-identified rookie officer, who began working with the department in April 2018, has been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation.
The Fort Worth Police Major Crime unit, Internal Affairs and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney's Law Enforcement Incident Team are conducting that investigation.
Happening Now: Pastor Michael Bell responds to the most recent press release from @fortworthpd, which states an officer observed a person standing inside the home near a window. Perceiving a threat the officer drew his duty weapon and fired one shot striking the person inside. pic.twitter.com/ksmPjSYObB
— Cleo Greene (@cgreeneWFAA) October 12, 2019
“The Fort Worth Police Department shares the deep concerns of the public and is committed to completing an extremely thorough investigation of this critical police incident to its resolution,” the department said in a statement.
It goes beyond deep concern for Smith. The man trying to be a good neighbor is experiencing heartbreak over what should have been a helpful police visit that turned into Jefferson’s unfortunate, untimely, and unnecessary death.
James Smith said he saw the lights on and front doors open at his neighbor’s home overnight. He said he called a non emergency number for a wellness check. Smith said minutes later he heard a gunshot. @wfaa pic.twitter.com/7XYsVBCFz2
— Cleo Greene (@cgreeneWFAA) October 12, 2019
“It makes you not want to call the police department,” he told Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “If you don't feel safe with the police department, then who do you feel safe with? Do you just ignore crime or ignore something that's not right?”
Community members expressed outrage over Jefferson's murder and are calling for action.
“They tell you, ‘If you see something, say something,’” said the upset and guilt-ridden neighbor. “Well, if you do that and it costs somebody to lose their life, it makes you not want to do that. And that's sad.”
The investigation is ongoing.
