In a tragic incident, 26-year-old Dexter Reed was killed on March 21 when tactical-unit police officers fired 96 bullets at him within a span of 41 seconds, according to Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). COPA investigates allegations of police misconduct and police shootings.

Reed's mother, Nicole Banks, tearfully recalled the last time she saw her son alive, as he told her, "Mom, I'm going for a ride," before leaving in the car he had recently purchased. Heartbroken, Banks stated, "They killed him," referring to the officers involved.

COPA released video footage of the shooting on Tuesday, shedding light on the incident. The investigation into the "officers' use of deadly force" remains ongoing, as stated by COPA. The Chicago Police Department is cooperating with COPA's investigation and refrained from making any determinations until all the facts are known.

The incident began when police stopped Reed for allegedly not wearing a seatbelt. Multiple officers, some in plainclothes, approached Reed's car with tinted windows, demanding him to unlock and open the door, and not to roll up the window. COPA reported that Reed did not comply with these commands, leading officers to point their firearms at him.

Video footage shows officers retreating and instructing Reed to exit the vehicle. Shots can be heard shortly after, with COPA stating that Reed fired first, striking one officer. In response, four officers returned fire. Reed staggered out of the vehicle before collapsing onto the road as officers approached and instructed him not to move. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital after being struck by gunfire multiple times.

Reed's family, represented by attorney Andrew M. Stroth, claimed that the plainclothes officers did not announce themselves as police officers. However, the footage shows officers in plainclothes, some wearing vests with the word "police" on them.

Following the release of the footage, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson placed the officers involved on a 30-day administrative leave. Mayor Johnson expressed his personal devastation, stating, "As mayor and as a father raising a family, including two Black boys on the west side of Chicago, I am personally devastated to see yet another young Black man lose his life during an interaction with the police." He pledged a transparent investigation and had conversations with Reed's family.

Stroth called on Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx to expedite the pursuit of justice for the Reed family. Responding to the calls for action, Foxx emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to progress while assuring a commitment to finding justice.

Reed's tragic death has reignited concerns over police brutality and excessive use of force, leading to protests outside a Chicago police station. Activists, residents, and family members are demanding justice in the wake of yet another life lost. The incident adds to the ongoing national debate surrounding police killings of Black Americans, further fueling calls for police reform.

The United States has witnessed thousands of fatal police shootings in recent years, with at least 9,497 such incidents since 2015. Over the past 12 months alone, police have shot and killed at least 1,116 people. Each case contributes to the urgent need for change in policing methods and accountability.

"How many more young Black and Brown men need to die before this city will change?" asked attorney Stroth, highlighting the pressing need for reform in Chicago and beyond.