Bodycam footage released by the Chicago Police Department reveals officers fired 96 shots at a suspect who was pulled over for a seat belt violation last month.
The shooting, which ended with the death of 26-year-old Dexter Reed, happened on March 21, after a tactical unit of 'five officers conducted a traffic stop near West Ferdinand Street and North Avers Avenue.
From the moment officers exit their vehicle and approach Reed’s car, body camera footage shows the stop escalated into a shootout in just over 30 seconds. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) said approximately 96 shots were fired in the span of 41 seconds.
After the release of the footage, COPA Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten spoke to reporters.
“Preliminary information and available evidence appears to confirm that Mr. Reed fired first, striking one officer,” Kersten said. “The same information also confirms that four different officers returned fire approximately 96 times at Mr. Reed, including after he exited his vehicle and while he was lying on the ground. Mr. Reed’s firearm was subsequently found on the front passenger seat of his vehicle.”
Editor’s Note: COPA released dozens of audio and video materials, which can be viewed in their entirety here. After reviewing the footage, we have embedded the video that we believe provides the most clear view of what happened below. Warning: The video contains graphic language and violence.
Based on the materials released to the public, officers surrounded Reed’s vehicle shortly after the stop began. The officer closest to the driver’s door can be seen telling Reed to roll his window down, which he does briefly before trying to roll the window back up.
“Don’t roll the window up,” the officer repeatedly says to Reed.
The officer, with their hand on the driver’s-side door, then tells Reed to unlock the door.
Multiple officers, with their guns pointed at Reed, are then shown on video backing away from the vehicle while telling Reed to open the door.
One of the officers, though, stays close to the passenger’s-side door. Gunfire starts, and the officer near the passenger’s-side door is struck. After shots are fired, two of the officers are shown immediately running away from the vehicle toward cover.
The other two officers are shown taking cover behind their own vehicle and returning fire. As they continue to shoot, Reed exits his vehicle and falls down behind his car. Reed died from his injuries.
The wounded officer, who was shot in the arm, was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Stroger Hospital.
Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke about the importance of making materials related to this shooting public.
“The people of Chicago deserve to have awareness and full knowledge of police shootings,” Johnson said. “When someone is shot and killed by police in our city, my administration will lead with transparency.”
All of the officers involved have been placed on desk duty as the investigation continues.
Reed’s family was expected to speak about the shooting Tuesday afternoon.