The family of a Chicago man who was fatally shot by plainclothes police officers during a traffic stop has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department. The 81-page federal complaint alleges that the officers engaged in 'brutally violent' policing tactics during the incident that resulted in the death of 26-year-old Dexter Reed.
According to a police oversight agency, Reed fired at the officers first during the traffic stop on March 21. The agency released videos and documents that raised questions about the officers' use of force and tactics. Community activists have called for the immediate firing of the officers involved in the shooting.
The lawsuit claims that the officers did not properly identify themselves as police, lacked reasonable suspicion to stop Reed, and escalated the situation by drawing guns and shouting profanity-laced commands. It also alleges that the officers failed to provide timely medical care to Reed after the shooting.
The officers involved in the incident were placed on administrative leave, and the Cook County state's attorney's office is investigating the case. The lawsuit names the city of Chicago, the police department, and the five officers involved as defendants.
Reed's family is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages. Reed's mother expressed her devastation at a news conference, stating that she watched videos of the shooting repeatedly and felt that her son was 'executed.'
Reed, a former basketball player with aspirations of becoming a sportscaster, had previously suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder following a prior incident. The family's attorney emphasized the urgency of ensuring police compliance with court-supervised reform plans to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The incident has reignited concerns about police tactics and accountability in Chicago, a city that has faced scrutiny over racial bias and excessive use of force by law enforcement. The Chicago Police Department has been under a court-imposed consent decree since 2019 to address these issues.
