Aaron Dean: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Aaron Dean is the former police officer who resigned after he shot into Atatiana Jefferson’s bedroom, striking and killing her after responding to a welfare check request in the early morning on October 12. The Fort Worth Police Department released his name during a press conference on Monday, noting that he would still be facing possible charges despite his resignation. He has since been charged with murder.

The Fort Worth Police Department said they were responding to a welfare request in Fort Worth, Texas around 2 a.m. on October 12 after a neighbor was concerned that they were concerned because the door was open for a long time that night, which was unusual. Police later confirmed that Jefferson’s eight-year-old nephew was in the home with her when the shooting occurred.

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1. The Fort Worth Police Chief Said Aaron Dean Was Not Cooperative in the Investigation

Aaron York Dean was one of the officers who first responded to the welfare check, according to a call log released by the Fort Worth Police Department. He was identified as the officer who shot Jefferson. Dean resigned in a one-sentence letter, authorities said.

“Effective immediately I am tendering my resignation from the Fort Worth Police Department,” Dean said in the letter.

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His name was released by Police Chief Ed Kraus during a press conference on Monday, October 14. Kraus said that Dean had turned in his resignation that morning before he could interview Dean. Kraus said was going to fire him anyway if he had not.

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Dean had not been cooperative with the investigation, Kraus told the media.

“He resigned before his opportunity to cooperate,” Kraus said.

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2. Dean, 35, Has Been Arrested & Charged with Murder

Dean was arrested and charged with murder on Monday night, CBS DFW reported. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail and held on a $200,000 bond, KXAN reported. He posted bond about four hours after being arrested.

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The Fort Worth Police said in a press conference on Monday that despite his resigning, his record and separation paperwork will reflect that he was dishonorably discharged.

In a Twitter post, Attorney Lee Merritt wrote: “The resignation of Aaron Dean from the @fortworthpd is a slap in the face to the family of Atatiana Jefferson. He should have been fired the night he murdered Atatiana. Being allowed to resign instead of being arrested for his criminal misconduct provides no solace to this family.”

During a family press conference earlier on Monday, October 14, family members asked the same question.

Adarius Carr, Jefferson’s brother, also called for an independent investigation and asked why Aaron Dean was not arrested.

“Fort Worth Police cannot investigate themselves. … This man murdered someone,” Adarius Carr said. “He should be arrested.”

3. Media Expressed Concern that Dean Had Time to Scrub His Social Media

Kraus said that because Dean had resigned, he no longer had the protection of state civil service law, so he could now release his name publicly. On Sunday, Dean was stripped of his badge and firearm, Kraus said.

When asked about Dean having time to wipe his social media or if steps had been taken to preserve his social media, Kraus said that he did not have the answer to that question at this time.

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4. Dean, an Arlington Native, Will Be Investigated for Criminal & Possible Civil Violations

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Aaron Dean will still face criminal charges despite resigning, Kraus said during the press conference. A preliminary case has also been presented to the FBI as a possible civil rights violation.

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5. Jefferson Was Shot Through Her Bedroom Window After a Neighbor Called a Non-Emergency Number to Request a Welfare Check

Aaron Dean was responding to a call about an “open structure” (meaning an open door) that was made at 2:25 a.m. on October 12. The call was made by a neighbor to a non-emergency number because the front door was open and the neighbor was worried. {snip}

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