Cedric L. Alexander is a former deputy mayor of Rochester, New York, and past president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. He is the author of the forthcoming book,"In Defense of Public Service: How 22 Million Government Workers Will Save Our Republic" . The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion articles on CNN.
On Saturday, October 12, shortly after two in the morning, an alert neighbor in Fort Worth, Texas, did the right thing, the kind of thing that in general makes neighborhoods safer. Seeing that a nearby door was open at this odd hour, he called a non-emergency police number for a"safety check." He later told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he was concerned because he knew that his neighbor, Atatiana Jefferson, was home alone with her nephew.
Cedric L. AlexanderThe police rolled up at about 2:25. One minute and 17 seconds of body cam footage show an officer approaching the Jefferson house. He peers through the closed screen door. As the neighbor said, the solid door is wide open behind it. Seeing a lit room, he does not enter but walks around the house, pauses at a window, and shines a flashlight into a dark room."Put your hands up! Show me your hands!" he screams, without identifying himself as the police.
Victim's brother gets emotional, demands cop's arrest 02:10The phrase"senseless tragedy" certainly applies but is, of course, pathetically inadequate. It can't describe how a well-meaning call for service, for a police"safety" or"welfare" check, ended in the violent death of an aunt who stayed up late at night to play with her nephew.
RealDLHughley Opinion WRONG COLOR
RealDLHughley Opinion
Opinion .It's overwhelming tragic that in your own home your life is taken by those sworn to protect you. Not only did Atatiana not deserve this, but her nephew also is left to deal with the trauma from this incident. .My thoughts and prayers go out to the family as they endure 🙏
Opinion There have been a few police caused deaths w/no changes in practices. How many deaths does it take to completely erode something? I don't think building trust is going to happen while people keep dying in their own homes along w/ leaked pics of a gun that isn't being held.
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Opinion I don't believe a word from CNN.
Opinion
Opinion HAHAHAHAHAHAH! You just got Okeefed. Grabblers always lose. Cant wait for the day of the rope:)
Opinion This is so sad.
Opinion How are police being trained? Is a shoot first policy being taught?
Opinion you cn always rely on CNN to stir the pot and make everything worse
Opinion Oh, Jeff, you rascal.
Opinion Make no mistake about it: ensuring people of color live in fear even in their own homes is EXACTLY the America many Trump voters had in mind all along.
Opinion Given it is Texas, if that murdering piece of crap gets anything short of the death penalty it will be a travesty
Opinion When do we stop worshipping cops?
Opinion
Opinion Nah
Opinion Blue lives matter. God bless our police officers. Give them strength in the face of all this hatred.
Opinion Does it tho?
Opinion L
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ABC News @ABCLIVE: Fort Worth officials hold presser on fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson in her own home. The mayor literally just went the “thoughts and prayers” route. ACAB
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