Texas City Council Approves $3.5 Million Settlement For Atatiana Jefferson’s Nephew

Since the shooting, young Zion has lost his grandmother, Yolanda Carr, and his mother, Amber Carr, to health reasons.

The Fort Worth City Council in Texas voted unanimously on Nov. 28 to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of Ataiana Jefferson, approving a $3.5 million payment to the victim’s nephew, Zion Carr.

Jefferson was babysitting her then-8-year-old nephew at her mother’s home in 2019 when former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean shot and killed her.

A neighbor, James Smith, called a non-emergency line for a welfare check when he noticed the front door was open at the Jefferson home. When Dean and another officer arrived, they found the door wide open, but the screen door closed. As the officers moved around the backyard, Carr testified in 2022 that his aunt heard noises outside and grabbed her handgun from her purse.

Body cam footage showed Dean pointing his gun at Jefferson through the window while yelling, “Put your hands up! Show me your hands!” He then started firing instantly before properly advising the victim he was a cop or giving her a chance to drop her weapon.

The officer was later arrested and found guilty of manslaughter. He is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence.

The settlement has certain conditions but includes an initial lump sum payment. Between the ages of 18 and 25, money will be distributed for both Zion’s undergraduate and graduate education at whatever institution he chooses. Then, from age 26 until he is 40 years old, monthly payment amounts will increase, which is typical for annual lump sum payments.

Smith was present during the vote and spoke before the council, wearing a button with Atatiana’s photo on it. He said the button represents an image that will never leave his mind.

“You can’t see it, but that’s why I wear the button. So, she can be seen and remembered in the city of Fort Worth,” Smith said, according to WFAA. “As I told the council, I’m not here primarily because of me. I’m here because Yolanda Carr can’t be here. Tatiana’s not here. Amber is not here.”

Since the shooting Zion has lost his grandmother, Yolanda Carr, and his mother, Amber Carr, to health reasons.

The vote took place on what would have been Jefferson’s 33rd birthday, which Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker feels is a genuine coincidence. She wanted to make sure the family knew that there wasn’t any money to bring real justice to the family. However, with the settlement and a mural of Jefferson that sits downtown, Parker hopes it’s a new start.

“I think that mural should really serve as a reminder for all of us and continue to talk about Atatiana,” Parker said.