CHICAGO — A day after a shootout between Chicago police and a 26-year-old man left him dead and a Chicago police officer shot in the wrist, the Chicago Police Department has yet to provide an update about what led up to and caused the shooting, while the family of the deceased said they are hiring an attorney.
“I’m just trying to find some answers,” said Roosevelt Banks, uncle of the 26-year-old man killed in the incident, who was later identified as Dexter Reed. “I am just in disbelief right now. Not really understanding. Nothing has been told to us as a family.”
Banks, who was carrying a photo of his nephew from elementary school, said his family will be hiring an attorney and told WGN News Reed had just spoken to his father and sister prior to the shooting. Banks said he had told them he was on the way to get parts for his car.
CPD said officers were conducting a traffic stop on Reed’s car, but haven’t disclosed why.
“Why was he stopped? What was the purpose of him being stopped?” Banks wondered aloud.
According to CPD superintendent Larry Snelling, who spoke at an impromptu press conference following the shooting late Thursday night, police made a traffic stop on Reed and there was an exchange of gunfire between him and an officer.
Snelling said one officer, a five-year veteran of the department, was hit in the wrist and taken to Stroger Hospital where he is in good condition, while Reed was hit by gunfire from the officer and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.
The superintendent also said that at least four other officers were involved in the incident, but were uninjured and taken to local hospitals for observation.
A gun was recovered by CPD at the scene of the incident.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is investigating the shooting, as is standard procedure for any shooting involving a Chicago police officer.
CPD said all officers involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a period of 30 days.