The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was expected to release video footage this week that captures a fatal shooting involving Chicago police officers in West Garfield Park last month, according to a family lawyer for the man who was killed.
Dexter Reed, 26, was fatally shot by police during a March 21 traffic stop in the 3800 block of West Ferdinand. Sources familiar with the shooting but not authorized to speak about it publicly told the Tribune that CPD officers fired more than 30 bullets at Reed.
One CPD officer was also shot in the wrist, according to COPA. A gun was recovered by police, authorities said, though it was unclear Monday whether Reed pointed that weapon at officers or fired it.
It was not known Monday exactly how many times Reed was shot. In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, a representative for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s officer told the Tribune on Monday — 18 days after his death — that Reed’s autopsy was not yet finalized.
Reed’s family was expected to view the police body-camera footage Monday with representatives from COPA, according to attorney Andrew M. Stroth. Reed’s family was planning to hold a press conference Tuesday afternoon to address the shooting.
A week after Reed’s death, his family wrote a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson and CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling detailing Reed’s personal life and requesting they be allowed to view video footage of the shooting.
“Dexter was the second oldest of three children,” his family wrote. “He has an older sister Porscha and younger brother Julius. Dexter played basketball at Westinghouse College Prep High School and led the team to a regional championship in 2016. After high school, Dexter went to school and played basketball at Morton College. While Dexter enjoyed basketball, he aspired to one day become a sports broadcaster. Dexter’s favorite artist was Jay-Z. Dexter also liked to eat vegetables and cooking baked beans. He was affectionately known to our family, friends and coaches as ‘Dex.’”
COPA previously said that the shooting occurred after five officers assigned to a Harrison District (11th) tactical team pulled over Reed’s vehicle. The reason for the stop was not known Monday.
Cook County court records show Reed had a pending illegal gun possession case at the time of his death.
According to CPD records, Reed was arrested near the United Center last July after someone called 911 to report a person with a gun at the Windy City Smokeout festival. Officers allegedly found Reed in possession of a .357 revolver, and he was later charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and violation of the Firearm Owner’s Identification Card Act. His most recent court hearing was held March 12, records how.
