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 brandished firearms without identifying themselves as police officers. Officer Giampapa aimed her gun directly at Dexter’s face within seconds, shouting profanities and demanding he unlock his doors. Despite Dexter's visible confusion, the officers continued escalating the encounter. Officer Saint Louis positioned himself on the passenger side, brandishing a baton and aiming his firearm through the windshield. Officers Spanos and Pacheco joined in, pointing their guns at Dexter while hurling threats. Surveillance footage confirmed that Dexter committed no traffic violation to justify this aggressive stop.

Injuries

The situation rapidly escalated when the officers opened fire on Dexter. Officer Giampapa, joined by Officers Pacheco, Spanos, and Webb, unleashed a barrage of 96 bullets over just 41 seconds. Dexter initially remained inside his vehicle but eventually exited with his hands raised, visibly unarmed. Despite his clear surrender, the officers continued shooting at him without issuing any further commands or warnings. Dexter collapsed near the rear of his vehicle, face down on the pavement, and his head struck the ground as blood pooled around his body. Even after Dexter lay motionless, Officer Spanos fired three more bullets into his body. None of the officers attempted to provide life-saving care. Instead, they handcuffed Dexter’s lifeless arms behind his back and walked away, leaving him to bleed out. Their actions starkly violated the Chicago Police Department's Use of Force Policy, which mandates immediate medical assistance for injured individuals. Dexter later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, leaving his family and community devastated.

Damages

Dexter’s wrongful death inflicted immense emotional and financial harm on his mother, Nicole Banks, and their entire family. As a beloved son and sibling, Dexter had been a source of joy, support, and companionship. His tragic death deprived his family of his future contributions, care, and presence. The financial burden of funeral and burial expenses only compounded their grief. Nicole Banks, acting as the Independent Administrator of Dexter’s estate, sought justice for her son while grappling with the emotional trauma of his violent death. Beyond the personal loss, the incident sparked public outrage over the excessive use of force and police misconduct by the Chicago Police Department. The community mourned the loss of a young man described as kind, respectful, and family-oriented. The need for significant reforms within CPD’s policing practices became more evident as the details of Dexter’s death unfolded. Nicole Banks sought justice for Dexter’s death and demanded accountability for the officers’ actions.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

• Plaintiff(s): Nicole Banks, Independent Administrator estate of Dexter Antonio Ree
  • Counsel for Plaintiff: Julie A. Murphy | Steven Alan Hart | Eliana Arielle Green | Kara Celeste Crutcher | Sheila A. Bedi | Andrew Martin Stroth

• Defendant(s): City of Chicago, a municipal corporation | Alexandra Giampapa | Gregory Saint Louis | Victor Pacheco | Thomas Spanos | Aubrey Webb
  • Counsel for Defendants: Michael P. Sheehan | Allan T. Slagel | Barton James O'Brien | Elizabeth Ann Winkowski | Joan E Ahn | Sara J Schroeder | Steven Blair Borkan | Timothy P Scahill | Amanda Christine Guertler | Christiane Elizabeth Murray | Molly Boekeloo | Whitney Newton Hutchinson

Claims

Nicole Banks, representing Dexter’s estate, filed a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Chicago and the named CPD officers. The claims included unlawful traffic stop, excessive use of force, and failure to provide life-saving medical care. Banks argued that the officers’ actions blatantly violated Dexter’s constitutional rights and demonstrated a gross disregard for human life. The police shooting lawsuit highlighted systemic failures within the CPD, including a racially discriminatory Mass Traffic Stop Program that disproportionately targeted Black drivers. Banks asserted that the city’s longstanding policy of pretextual traffic stops directly led to Dexter’s tragic death. The officers' conduct during the encounter—escalating the situation without justification and firing 96 shots in under a minute—reflected a pattern of misconduct enabled by inadequate oversight and accountability within the police department.

Defense

The Defendant, the City of Chicago and the named officers, did not respond to the claims made by Nicole Banks in a timely or substantive manner in a police shooting case. Instead of addressing the allegations in court, the Defendant chose to pursue a settlement.

Jury Verdict

The parties agreed to settle the police shooting lawsuit filed by Dexter Reed’s family for $1.25 million. The settlement, reached on Feburary 4, 2025, included both monetary and non-monetary relief. This relief aimed to support the family’s commitment to reform and bring attention to police shootings and the excessive use of force by law enforcement. Court Documents: Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com