Chilling bodycam footage shows Chicago suspect, 26, 'opening fire' before officers respond with over 90 shots
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Heart-stopping footage has emerged, showcasing the intense moment a Chicago man reportedly "opens fire on police," prompting officers to discharge over 90 rounds in response.
Dexter Reed, 26, tragically lost his life during a traffic stop in Humboldt Park, following allegations of failing to wear a seatbelt.
The incident, which occurred on March 21, unfolded shortly after Reed's appearance in court concerning firearms charges.
Insights into Dexter Reed's police encounter
The released bodycam clips depict the tactical unit arriving, with multiple officers issuing commands for Reed to lower the window and then open the door.
Despite their instructions, the suspect declines, leading to the eruption of gunfire. A witness, contacting 911, vividly describes the chaos as reminiscent of "shooting like they´re having a Vietnam War."
Exiting the vehicle, Reed collapses to the ground, falling facedown with his head near the rear passenger wheel, wearing only one shoe.
Amidst the chaos, officers urgently instruct Reed to stay still as they search his body for a weapon and apply handcuffs. One officer expresses uncertainty, stating, "I don't know where the gun is."
Afterward, they use a flashlight to examine the vehicle, eventually locating the firearm on the passenger seat.
An officer asserts, "He started shooting at us," emphasizing the perceived threat they faced. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as scrutiny intensifies from COPA and the Cook County state's attorney's office.
"I really can´t explain the pain that I and my family is going through, but I just hope there are people out there who understand he was a son, he was a brother, he was an uncle, he had loved ones," said Reed's sister, Porscha Banks.
Andrew Stroth, the attorney representing Reed's family, has condemned the police stop as "unconstitutional," alleging that the plainclothes officers failed to identify themselves as law enforcement. "Nothing is going to bring Dexter back, but certainly efforts should be taken to make sure this doesn´t happen to another family."
The Cook County medical examiner's office has officially categorized Reed's death as a homicide, attributing it to "multiple" gunshot wounds.
Dexter Reed's criminal history
County records indicate that prior to his demise, Reed was awaiting trial in a firearms-related case.
Initially charged with misdemeanor retail theft in April 2023 for an alleged incident involving a $950 shirt, the charge was subsequently dismissed, per Daily Mail.
However, he found himself in legal trouble again on July 13, 2023, when police reportedly caught him carrying a loaded handgun at a music festival. This occurred despite him lacking a concealed carry license and having his firearm owner's identification card revoked.
COPA was established in 2016 in response to public pressure following the release of dashcam footage showing the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by then-officer Jason Van Dyke.
This incident contradicted officers' initial claims that McDonald had posed a threat with a knife. Among its mandates, COPA is tasked with investigating police-involved shootings.
Since 2019, the Chicago Police Department has been operating under a consent decree. This was issued in response to a US Justice Department inquiry that revealed systemic racial bias and excessive use of force, particularly in cases like the one involving McDonald.
However, an independent monitoring team has consistently observed delays and deficiencies in the department's compliance efforts, emphasizing the need for urgent action to tackle ongoing challenges.
