Chicago Police Officers Fire Nearly 100 Shots During Traffic Stop

Flanked by family members, attorneys and supporters, Dexter Reed's sister, Porscha Banks, speaks to reporters outside the headquarters for the Civilian Office of Police Accountability in West Town, Ch

Recently released video footage from a police oversight agency revealed a chaotic scene during a traffic stop in Chicago, where plainclothes officers fired almost 100 gunshots over 41 seconds. The incident resulted in the death of a 26-year-old Black man, Dexter Reed, and left one officer injured.

The footage shows five officers surrounding an SUV driven by Reed, allegedly for a seatbelt violation. Reed initially refused to exit the vehicle, leading to a tense standoff as more officers arrived, drew weapons, and issued commands.

Preliminary evidence suggests that Reed fired first, injuring an officer, before four officers returned fire with a total of 96 rounds. The shooting continued even after Reed exited the vehicle and fell to the ground.

Dexter Reed, a 26-year-old Black man, was fatally shot by plainclothes officers.

Video shows chaotic traffic stop with nearly 100 gunshots fired.

Initial standoff escalated with Reed allegedly firing first, injuring an officer.

Family members express distress over Reed's death and seek thorough investigation.

Attorney criticizes police stop as unconstitutional due to lack of officer identification.

Authorities pledge cooperation with investigation to gather all facts.

Mayor promises transparent investigation process to ensure accountability and justice.

Officers involved placed on administrative leave pending investigation outcome.

State's attorney's office to assess if officers' use of force justifies criminal charges.

Incident highlights ongoing challenges in addressing racial bias and excessive force in Chicago Police Department.

Family members of Reed have raised questions about the circumstances of the shooting, emphasizing that he was a beloved son, brother, and uncle with aspirations of becoming a sports broadcaster. They viewed the video footage and expressed emotional distress over the incident.

An attorney for the family criticized the police stop as unconstitutional, highlighting the lack of identification by plainclothes officers. The family is seeking a thorough investigation and improved compliance with a court-mandated reform plan within the department.

Authorities have pledged cooperation with the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the need to gather all facts before making determinations. The released videos offer multiple perspectives of the incident, including the moments leading up to the shooting and its aftermath.

The city's mayor acknowledged the tragedy and promised a transparent investigation process, underscoring the importance of accountability and justice. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

The Cook County state's attorney's office will assess whether the officers' use of force was justified or warrants criminal charges. The medical examiner classified Reed's death as a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds.

This incident comes amid ongoing efforts to address issues of racial bias and excessive force within the Chicago Police Department, which has been under a consent decree since 2019. The department's compliance with reform measures has faced challenges, as highlighted by independent monitoring reports.