Fort Worth, Texas – The Fort Worth City Council has agreed to a $3.5 million settlement for the family of Atatiana Jefferson. Jefferson was fatally shot by ex-Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean in 2019.
On Tuesday, the council unanimously consented to compensate Amber Carr, or an authorized delegate, for the benefit of Jefferson’s nephew, Zion Carr, who witnessed the incident. The approval, dated Nov. 28, coincides with what would have been Jefferson’s 33rd birthday.
However, the settlement still requires the green light from Senior District Judge Terry Means, overseeing the case. Both litigants in the lawsuit must submit a joint dismissal request and accompanying paperwork by Dec. 14. The court has also assigned a guardian to advocate for Carr’s interests.
The agreement promises financial support for 11-year-old Zion Carr, including legal costs; a trust fund for his upbringing until he turns 18; a college fund covering education and living expenses from 18 to 25; and ongoing payments until he reaches 40.
This settlement is the most substantial in Fort Worth’s history. According to deputy city attorney Laetitia Coleman Brown, the final sum paid to Carr might accrue interest, potentially reaching around $6 million.
James Smith, who alerted the police about an open door at Jefferson’s residence on Oct. 12, 2019, leading to Dean’s welfare check and subsequent shooting, addressed the City Council before the vote. Smith remarked that the settlement aligns with the late Amber Carr’s, Zion Carr’s mother who passed away in January, previously expressed desires.
“Zion lost a grandmother, an aunt and a mother — his backbone,” Smith said. “There are people that say this isn’t enough. It might not be enough … I’m for it and Amber would be for it.”
In December 2022, a jury found Dean guilty of manslaughter, resulting in a sentence of almost 12 years in prison. However, Dean’s legal team filed for an appeal and a retrial in August. The hearing for this appeal is scheduled to commence on Dec. 5.
“While it’s positive to witness the city taking responsibility, our primary focus is to ensure that Zion can enjoy a normal childhood and witness his growth,” Ashley Carr, Jefferson’s sister, previously said in a statement to the Report.
“This council was faced with numerous dark clouds hanging over us as we (were elected) that we had to get done for our community and our constituents,” said council member Chris Nettles, who represents the Morningside neighborhood where Jefferson was killed. “This, by far, was one of the biggest hurdles that we had to go through.”
To encourage Carr to pursue higher education, the family and the city agreed that his settlement payments would be distributed over an extended period, as explained by deputy city attorney Laetitia Coleman Brown.
“It does feel short, right? It’s not enough, but it is the right gesture on behalf of the city of Fort Worth,” Mayor Mattie Parker said.
For the past four years, Smith has been a regular at City Council meetings, tirelessly campaigning for justice for Jefferson’s family. He noted that this specific settlement was targeted at securing Zion Carr’s future, but emphasized that the city needs to take additional steps to deliver full justice for Atatiana Jefferson and her relatives.
The legal proceedings involving Jefferson’s estate are still in progress.
For four years, Smith said, “I’ve put my feelings on a shelf, and they will stay on a shelf until accountability can proceed. Then I’ll have my feelings.”
