Fort Worth Chief, City Leaders Hold News Conference Over Fatal Shooting Of Atatiana Jefferson
FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Fort Worth Interim Police Chief Ed Kraus, Mayor Betsy Price and City Manager David Cooke are holding a news conference Monday afternoon after an officer fatally shot a woman inside her home during a welfare check.
Atatiana Jefferson was killed early Saturday morning inside her home in the 1200 block of E. Allen Avenue as officers were responding to welfare check.
Jefferson's neighbor had called the department's non-emergency number after noticing that the front door of her home had been left open since about 10 p.m. Friday.
Police on Saturday had said the officer who shot her had perceived a threat and drew his weapon while checking her home. He fired once, striking her.
In an update Sunday, police said the officers responding to the call didn't park their marked cars in front of the house nor did they identity themselves as officers at any time.
Body-cam video was also released that showed the events leading up to Jefferson's death. The video shows the perspective from the officer who fired the shot as he moved alongside the home.
The video shows the officer shining a flashlight into a window and shouting at Jefferson to put her hands up. He then fired seconds later through the window.
The department also released pictures of a handgun that could be seen inside the home.
According to civil attorney Lee Merritt, Jefferson was playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew just moments before the shooting.
The incident has sparked outrage throughout the nation as Jefferson's family seeks answers as to why she was killed inside her own home during a welfare check.
Chief Kraus and city leaders are expected to address some unanswered questions during the 1 p.m. news conference.
