SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- The family of the woman who was shot and killed by a police officer while she was in her Texas home is pushing for changes to the Fort Worth Police Department.
Lee Merritt, the family’s lawyer, said they’ve filed paperwork with the Department of Justice, which will investigate whether there was a civil rights violation in the death of Atatiana Jefferson.
The action is meant to place the spotlight on the Fort Worth Police Department, putting their practices and procedures under a microscope.
Aaron Dean, the officer who shot Jefferson, was arrested on suspicion of murder and bonded out.
He resigned from his position and no longer works for the department.
Merritt said, “There’s so much work to do before we see this officer held accountable for this murder.”
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According to Merritt, the case is now with the district attorney’s office, who is handling the criminal investigation.
Adarius Carr, Jefferson’s brother, has served in the Navy for more than a decade and is currently stationed in San Diego. He believes the department’s training needs to be looked at.
“Everything you trained for, there’s a way to do things. And when you don’t do it the way you’ve been taught, you have to answer for that,” Carr said.
Jefferson’s family says they plan on fighting for change to bring justice for Jefferson.
“Their concern is that nothing will change, and this will happen to someone else’s loved one,” Merritt said.
The family has prepared a civil lawsuit and is planning to file it next week.
