Atatiana Jefferson was killed inside her home while playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew.
The police officer shot through a window to the house he had come to after receiving a call from a neighbor who noticed that the door was open.
The unidentified officer was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Fort Worth, Texas police department, where the unfortunate incident occurred, and the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, police said.
RELATEDThe video of the camera that the policeman had on his body showed the agent approaching the house with a flashlight. When he looks out the window of a bedroom he shouts: "Raise your hands, show me your hands", and then shoot. He never identified himself as a police officer.
Jefferson was playing video games with his nephew when they heard what they thought was a marauder outside, Star-Telegram reported, citing his family's lawyer. When he went to the window to check, he was shot, the lawyer said. Jefferson was 28 years old.
Forth Worth police said in a statement that the department "shares the public's deep concerns and is committed to an extremely thorough investigation."
Neighbor James Smith told reporters he called the police because he was worried about the welfare of his neighbors.
"It makes you not want to call the police department," Smith told the Star-Telegram. "If you don't feel safe with the police department, who do you feel safe with?"
Police said a firearm was recovered in the house and published a photograph of a gun on the floor of the room, but gave no further details. It's unclear if Jefferson had the gun when he was shot.
Jefferson's death occurred less than two weeks after the former Dallas policeman, Amber Guyger, was sentenced to 10 years for the murder of Botham Jean at his home in Dallas. Guyger confused Jean's apartment with his and shot him and killed him after entering.
About 100 people gathered in front of Jefferson's house this Sunday night, singing, holding signs and registering people to vote.
"We are at a point where African Americans … cannot call the police because making that call means that they are risking their lives," Michael Bell, senior pastor of the Saint Stephen First Church, said in a statement. One of the many religious leaders in the area who have condemned the murder of Jefferson.
"I want to know how they are going to twist this one so that it seems justified that you kill a woman in her house," Pastor Rodney McIntosh of the Church of the Risen King Christ told Reuters.
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