Cop Who Shot Woman Through Window Charged With Murder

The Fort Worth police officer who shot Atatiana Jefferson through her bedroom window early Saturday was charged with murder Monday—hours after he resigned. Officials say Aaron Dean was booked into the Tarrant County Correction Center and later released on $200,000 bond, NBC reports. Interim Police Chief Ed Kraus says Dean, a 34-year-old who joined the force last year, has not been cooperating with investigators. He says that if Dean hadn't resigned earlier Monday, he would have fired him "for violations for several policies, including our use of force policy, our de-escalation policy, and unprofessional conduct." Bodycam footage shows that Dean, who did not identify himself as a police officer, fired within moments of seeing Jefferson.

Kraus says the FBI will be investigating possible civil rights violations, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Lee Merritt, a lawyer for Jefferson's family, tweeted that they were "relieved" that Dean was arrested, but the case needs be seen through to a "vigorous prosecution" and "appropriate sentencing." Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said the city will be calling in a panel of national experts for a "top to bottom" review of the city's police department. "Justice is critical here—but it will not bring back the life of a young woman who was taken too soon," she said. "This is a pivotal moment in our city, and we will act swiftly with transparency." (More Atatiana Jefferson stories.)