Ashley Carr, whose sister was killed by a Fort Worth police officer in 2019, says the department’s progress requires building community trust.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Nearly six years after Atatiana Jefferson was shot and killed by a Fort Worth police officer, her sister says she continues to carry the pain of that night and is holding on to hope for progress under the city’s new police chief, Eddie Garcia.
Ashley Carr said her family works each year to honor Jefferson’s memory, hosting community events the weekend of Oct. 10, the weekend marking her death.
“During that weekend, October 10–12, we do family and community themes: ‘Pull Up For Tay weekend,” Carr said. “We’re not forgetting Atatiana. My sister matters. I don’t want her life to be forgotten.”
Garcia told WFAA his top priorities include reducing violent crime, stronger community engagement, and boosting officer morale. For Carr, building genuine ties in the community is critical.
“If that is not done, then everything else is invalid,” she said. “You shouldn’t look at a community as the color it is; you should look at it as a community you have to protect and serve, period.”
She added that she hopes Garcia’s leadership will go beyond words.
“That’s what I want him to do: be a part of the community, to actually be a part of the change and have a positive impact,” Carr said. “Be a part of the change in a positive way.”
Since Jefferson died in 2019, the FWPD has enacted reforms, including patrol restructuring and expanded oversight measures. But Carr said she believes there’s still room for more progress.
“My sister’s case wasn’t the norm. There are still people fighting for justice,” she said.
Carr described living with the ongoing grief.
“I’m learning how to have this with me, ‘cause it doesn’t go away… and I still push through each day,” she said. “You don’t just give up. That’s not the way…”
She said she hopes Garcia’s promises of transparency and engagement become lasting change.
“If you know who you’re serving… hopefully there will be change,” Carr said. “I’m still keeping hope.”
Garcia, in a candidates’ forum held last week, acknowledged the need for building trust through transparency.
“Our officers need to understand what things have led to some distrust that occurs in some of our communities,” Garcia said.
For Carr, the expectation remains clear: her sister’s life must have purpose, and her community deserves progress.