“If you were awarded $150,000, would any of that money go to maybe retraining officers how to not pull triggers?” Citizens of Fort Worth, Texas arrived at the first city council meeting following the shooting of Atatiana Jefferson to demand change. The 28-year old Black woman was gunned down in her home by Fort Worth Police Officer Aaron Dean while caring for her 8-year old nephew.

Concerned residents are determined to have their voices heard and demand action from sitting officials. During the first city council meeting to take place since Atatiana’s death, Fort Worth City Hall was filled to capacity with residents looking for answers. Despite City officials conducting typical business before hearing residents speak, their outraged calls to action were not received. Meeting attendees who attempted to discuss their misgivings were escorted out by City Marshals. With fears of weak sentencing stoked by the outcome of Amber Guyger’s trial, protests have ensued in what one official calls a “Black state of emergency.”

Declaring the Dallas/Fort Worth area to be in a “Black state of emergency”, McKinney Councilman La’Shadion Shemwell has asked prospective Black travelers to refrain from visiting. Monday, LaShadion shared that Black and brown lives are in danger by visiting and he “cannot sit idly by” as war continues on Fort Worth’s citizens. Mayor George Fuller called the narrative dangerous. However, he still allowed Shemwell to read his proclamation which calls out the pattern and practice of discriminatory policing.

According to reports, Rep. Elijah Cummings has passed away. Cummings has been a major figure in the impeachment investigation and has passed “due to complications concerning longstanding health challenges”. His staff has released the following statement.

A block party for three prominent HBCUs ended in gunfire last night resulting in injuries for four female students. Around 10:30 PM, shots rang out near the Clark Atlanta University campus during a party to celebrate the beginning of classes.

Roughly 200 students from Clark Atlanta University, Spelman, and Morehouse were caught in the middle of a heated exchange at the Robert W. Woodruff Library. According to Atlanta Police Captain William Rucker, the confrontation was between two groups that were “targeting each other.” Leaving the unlucky students in the crossfire, two women from Clark and two from Spelman were injured.

Since the crime took place so close to student housing, many who attended the fete were unable to go home. The shooter(s) injured four women, shooting one in the chest, another in the leg, and leaving two others grazed by bullets. The students were treated at Grady Health System and there were no casualties. As police begin their search for suspects, they are hopeful surveillance footage from the library contains useful leads.