Officer Kills Woman in Her Home After Welfare Call

Atatiana Jefferson was apparently shot through her window
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 12, 2019 6:00 PM CDT
Officer Kills Woman in Her Home After Welfare Call
Stock image.   (Getty Images)

Authorities in Texas say a black woman was fatally shot by a white officer inside her Fort Worth home after police were called to the residence for a welfare check, the AP reports. The shooting happened early Saturday after a neighbor called police to say the front door to the home was open. In body camera video released by police, two officers search the house from the outside with flashlights before one shouts, "Put your hands up, show me your hands." One shot is fired through a window. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office identified her as 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson.

The officer does not identify himself as police in the video. In a statement, police say he has been placed on administrative leave. Over 10 black pastors and community leaders gathered in a Fort Worth chapel Saturday to express their anger and frustration, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. "We've got to stand up as a community and let them know that we’re sick and tired of our young ladies being killed," said Rev. Rodney McIntosh. "We're sick and tired of our sons being killed." They said the officer, who's been with the Fort Worth department since April 2018, must be held accountable. Jefferson's death marks the seventh civilian shot by Forth Worth police since June 1; six were fatalities.

(More police shooting stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X