A deadly traffic stop where plainclothes Chicago police officers fired nearly 100 shots in under a minute has raised serious questions about the use of force and role of tactical officers in departments.
As family and community members mourn 26-year-old Dexter Reed, a police oversight agency and Cook County prosecutors are investigating.
Videos and documents released this week by the Chicago Office of Police Accountability paint a harrowing picture of what happened during the March 21 traffic stop.
But about a week ago, the oversight agency’s leader expressed “grave concerns” about the officers’ actions in a letter to Police Superintendent Larry Snelling.
Officers in an unmarked police car stopped Reed for not wearing a seatbelt, according to COPA. But things devolved quickly as he appeared to refuse officers’ commands and didn’t immediately leave the SUV, according to video.
Reed was pulled over during a traffic stop and refused to exit his vehicle.
A gun was recovered from the passenger seat of Reed's vehicle. One officer at the scene claimed Reed shot at them first.
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
How do you feel about the use of nearly 100 bullets by police during a traffic stop, especially in a populated area?
@9LH3L8B2mos2MO
The police should use bullets only when nessasary and a limited amount.
@9LH2FFPRepublican2mos2MO
Makes me sick. If you're an officer you should learn to properly use your weapon and not just spray a hundred bullets while in a populated area. This makes things worse and more dangerous to the communitiy.
@9LH35TCRepublican2mos2MO
gun is dangerous but black market is more horrendous
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
What responsibilities do police officers have in de-escalating situations, and how does this incident shape your view on that?
@9LH4B28Republican 2mos2MO
police are given to much crap for how much they actually do for the citizens
@9LH3F2B2mos2MO
The responsibilities they have on de-escalating a situation is to calmy and non-violently try to de-escalate unless the situation escalates
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
If a gun was found but not used by the driver, how should police balance the potential threat with the use of lethal force?
@9LH2V9K2mos2MO
police are moslty lookin out for them self
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Considering officers were in plainclothes and an unmarked vehicle, does this change your perspective on the safety and clarity of police interactions?
@9LH38562mos2MO
people shouldn't get arrested by an undercover cop
@ISIDEWITH2mos2MO
Does the reason for the initial traffic stop (not wearing a seatbelt) justify the escalation to a deadly confrontation?
@9LH34TW2mos2MO
Nobody should be killed for not wearing a seatbelt. However, there is a lot of tension because people are afraid of police and police are afraid of normal citizens. I think this problem can be fixed by a demilitarized police force and more training before one can become a police officer.
@SolidF4irTradePatriot2mos2MO
Dexter Reed refused to complete with the police and then shoț at them.
The media trying to blame police is only goin to encourage more criminals.
This will only get more people hurt.
The spin is an incitement of violence.
Shame on anyone blaming the police.
@GnuSavannahVeteran2mos2MO
If he complies with the police this never happens
@L1b3rtyBuckDemocrat2mos2MO
the cops pulled dexter reed over in an unmarked car, walked over to him in CIVILIAN clothing with a gun pulled. i know for damn sure that if someone in normal clothing walked up to me with a gun out id fire out of fear for my own safety.
@BoastfulSwiftVeteran2mos2MO
Provide a picture of them in civilian clothing.
The only pictures floating around are of several uniformed officers.
Also sirens, cops telling you they’re cops…
Pro-tip, don't carry illegal guns.
I thought illegal guns were illegal meaning they are impossible to obtain?
@WrathfulIcecreamDemocrat2mos2MO
That’s correct.
Criminals cannot access illegal guns, particularly in Chicago.
@NeedyMandat3No Labels2mos2MO
2 videos, each 13 seconds, that tell 2 sides of the Dexter Reed fatal shooting:
1. Dexter Reed’s mother says he was “just riding around” and the police “killed him.” (Note the George Floyd collap$e.)
2. Body cam shows Reed fired eleven shots at cops before they returned fire.
@LuminousPollingDemocrat2mos2MO
The word that comes to mind - COMPLIANCE
@NeedyMandat3No Labels2mos2MO
It seems disobeying the police has become the new fad with today's youth. A deadly fad.
@Ind3pendentSidRepublican2mos2MO
Police: Don't roll up that damn window. (Thug rolls up window.
Police: Don't shoot at us. (Thug shoots at police.)
Family acts surprised that thug was shot by police.
Lesson #1: Don’t shoot at police, it won’t end well.
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