Fort Worth to proclaim Tuesday ‘Tay Day’ in honor of Atatiana Jefferson

Nysse Nelson applied for and was approved by the city of Fort Worth for a proclamation honoring Jefferson. She never met Jefferson but took to the streets in a series of protests that followed the killing. That’s when she met Jefferson’s young nephew, Zion.

FORT WORTH, Texas - The Fort Worth City Council will honor a woman who was shot and killed by a former police officer.

The family and friends of Atatiana Jefferson will be there as the city proclaims Tuesday "Tay Day." Tay was Jefferson’s nickname.

She was killed two years ago by an officer who resigned and is awaiting trial on murder charges.

It happened while Jefferson was babysitting her nephew at her mother’s home. A neighbor called police because the home’s door was left open.

Then-officer Aaron Dean went around to the back of the home unannounced. He shot and killed Jefferson through a back window.

Nysse Nelson applied for and was approved by the city of Fort Worth for a proclamation honoring Jefferson.

"So I just googled, ‘how you get your own day,’ and the term popped up, ‘proclamation.’ And I started reading about proclamations," she said.

Nelson never met Jefferson but took to the streets in a series of protests that followed the killing. That’s when she met Jefferson’s young nephew, Zion.

"I saw him at another event, and he remembered my name," she said.

Nelson and Zion formed a bond.

"We got closer, and he asked if he could call me Auntie Nysse. And I said, ‘You can call me whatever you want to call me," she recalled. "Now, he’s friends with my son. I have a 9-year-old, and they’re really good friends."

The proclamation will officially become reality at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

Councilman Chris Nettles will present the proclamation.

"We have extended an invitation to the sisters, Zion and the family to come down and be a part of this day," he said. "It brings true transparency. It shows the city and the community that we are doing our part."

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement said, "this is an incredibly meaningful day for our community to honor her legacy, celebrate the life she lived and send our continued prayers and support to her family and friends."

"She was already doing something most Black women don’t do: trying to go be a doctor. She deserves her own day," Nelson said.

Over the weekend, there was a parade in Jefferson’s honor in downtown Fort Worth.

Fort Worth council to proclaim Tay Day

Tonight Fort Worth's City Council will honor a woman who was shot and killed by a police officer. It comes two years to the day since she died.

"It really helped with a lot of the pain we're feeling at this moment. It helps to see the community is standing behind us and supporting us so that feels good," said Ashley Carr, her sister.

Dean’s murder trial is set to begin next month.