Nicole Banks, Independent Administrator estate of Dexter Antonio Reed vs. City of Chicago, a municipal corporation, et al

Case Background

On April 24, 2024, Plaintiff Nicole Banks, Independent Administrator of the estate of Dexter Antonio Reed, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court, Illinois Northern (Case number: 1:24cv3271). Judge Jeffrey I. Cummings presided over this case, which centers on civil rights violations and a police shooting that resulted in the wrongful death of Dexter Antonio Reed. The lawsuit alleges excessive use of force, unlawful traffic stop, and a systemic pattern of police misconduct that led to this tragic incident.

Cause

On March 21, 2024, officers from the Chicago Police Department Tactical Team unlawfully stopped Dexter Antonio Reed, a 26-year-old Black man, during a routine drive on Ferdinand Street in Chicago. Dexter had just passed through a green light and was traveling westbound, fully complying with all traffic regulations. Despite his lawful driving, officers aggressively pursued him in an unmarked silver SUV. Officer Aubrey Webb drove the vehicle, with Officers Alexandra Giampapa, Thomas Spanos, Victor Pacheco, and Gregory Saint Louis riding along. Without warning, Officer Webb ran a red light and forced Dexter to stop by maneuvering the police vehicle as if to sideswipe his SUV. This unlawful traffic stop created a threatening and chaotic situation immediately. The officers, dressed in casual clothing rather than official uniforms, exited the vehicle with weapons drawn. They screamed conflicting commands at Dexter and brandish