TSR Positive Images: Sacramento Kings player Harrison Barnes has stepped up to foot the bill for the funeral of AtatianaJefferson.
Barnes, who used to play for the Dallas Mavericks for a few years, has agreed to help the family who will lay their daughter to rest this weekend in Dallas, according to TMZ.
Authorities are currently investigating Atatiana’s murder. She was fatally shot by Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean in her own home.
Dean was officially charged with murder in the shooting earlier this week. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail but has since been released on bond.
Earlier that day, it was announced that Dean resigned from the Forth Worth Police Department before he could be fired following the fatal shooting.
Jefferson’s family called for police to investigate her death on Monday during a press conference and put pressure on them to look into the mishandling of the initial police call that resulted in it.
Dean shot and killed Jefferson in her home while responding to a welfare check early Saturday morning. Jefferson’s neighbor, James Smith, had called the department’s non-emergency number after noticing that the front door of Jefferson’s home had been left open since about 10 p.m. Friday.
Police said in a statement Saturday that the officer who shot her had perceived a threat and drew his weapon while checking the home. Dean fired once, striking her.
In a statement released Monday afternoon, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price addressed both Jefferson’s neighbor and nephew: “To Mr. James Smith, I know you are hurting today as well. You called police to check on your neighbor because you cared about her safety and wellbeing. You were being a wonderful neighbor and doing the right thing to make sure she was ok. You are the type of person we all want living next door, watching out for us. Atatiana’s death has eroded your own your sense of safety and trust in law enforcement. I’m truly sorry. To Atatiana’s nephew, who has witnessed an unspeakable loss — sorry doesn’t really cut it. This entire city needs to surround him with prayers, support, and anything his family needs,” Price said.
