The family of Dexter Reed, a 26-year-old Chicago man who was killed during a traffic stop, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit accusing the Chicago Police Department of using "brutally violent" policing tactics. The federal complaint, which spans 81 pages, alleges that the officers involved violated multiple laws and police department policies during the incident on March 21.

According to videos and documents released by a police oversight agency, Reed was fatally shot when plainclothes police officers fired their guns nearly 100 times. The footage raised questions about the officers' use of force and the tactics employed by the tactical squads that use unmarked police cars.

Community activists have demanded the immediate termination of the officers responsible for the killing of another young Black man. The Cook County state's attorney's office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, and the five officers involved have been placed on administrative leave for 30 days.

The lawsuit alleges several violations on the part of the officers. It claims that they failed to properly identify themselves as police, lacked reasonable suspicion to stop Reed, escalated the situation by immediately drawing guns and shouting profanity-laced commands, and neglected to provide timely medical care for Reed after he was shot.

The lawsuit further states that the Chicago Police Department promotes "brutally violent, militarized policing tactics" and that the "predatory, violent, unlawful traffic stop" directly resulted in Reed's death. The police department and the city of Chicago declined to comment on the pending litigation.

According to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), Reed fired at the officers first, leading them to return fire and ultimately shoot 96 times in a span of 41 seconds. Reed was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The officers involved were part of a district tactical unit that often operates in plainclothes and is deployed to high-crime areas. The lawsuit argues that these units have historically targeted young Black men in impoverished neighborhoods.

Superintendent Larry Snelling had disbanded a similar citywide unit earlier this year, while plainclothes officers in elite units have faced scrutiny in other parts of the country.

Reed's family is seeking a jury trial and unspecified monetary damages. Reed's mother, Nicole Banks, expressed her anguish during a news conference, stating that the officers "executed" her son. She described Reed as a kind and caring person with aspirations of becoming a sportscaster, noting that he had faced challenges after a previous altercation that caused severe injuries and led to post-traumatic stress disorder.

The lawsuit aims to ensure that the Chicago Police Department complies better with a court-supervised reform plan. The COPA was established in 2016 following the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video, which revealed racial bias and excessive use of force by Chicago police officers. The department has been operating under a court-imposed consent decree since 2019.

As the legal proceedings continue, the case highlights ongoing concerns over police misconduct and highlights the importance of ensuring accountability and justice in law enforcement actions.