During a routine traffic stop in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood on March 21, a tragic incident unfolded as police officers fired nearly 100 shots in over 41 seconds at a driver they had surrounded. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Dexter Reed, was spotted without a seatbelt, prompting the police action.
Video footage of the incident, widely circulated on social media, captured the intense exchange as five police officers discharged their weapons at the SUV. Tragically, Reed lost his life in the barrage of gunfire, while one police officer sustained injuries.
Preliminary evidence suggested that Reed initiated the gunfire after being instructed to exit his vehicle. Subsequently, four officers returned fire, unleashing a total of 96 rounds. Shockingly, even after Reed emerged from his vehicle and collapsed on the ground, the officers continued to discharge their weapons.
Footage from body cameras revealed the chaotic scene, with Reed lying face down near his vehicle, surrounded by bullet-riddled surroundings. Despite the officers' commands for Reed to remain still, no weapon was found on his person.
Amidst the chaos, the family of the victim contested the official narrative of the shooting and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. Their call for transparency and accountability underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the events leading to Reed's tragic death.
