Less than a month after Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed in her own home by a police officer, her father has passed away of a heart attack. Marquis Jefferson was 58 years old.
“It’s just sad because of grief. I don’t know what else to say,” family spokesman Bruce Carter told local news. “Less than a month ago, he was working at El Centro, mentoring kids twice a week. He just couldn’t get back from what happened with his daughter.”
Atatiana Jefferson was playing video games with her nephew when police showed up at her house, having been called by a neighbor for a wellness check who noticed her front door was open. Officer Aaron Dean saw Jefferson’s silhouette in the window and opened fire without identifying himself as a cop, killing her. The shooting sparked nationwide calls for justice which led to Dean’s resignation.
He has been charged with murder.
After her death, Marquis Jefferson told reporters that he had a mission to fulfill.
“It’s been very tough,” he told WFAA at the time. “Tay wanted me to be strong. I have to be strong. My mission is not over.”
