SIAP: Indanapolis man shot during police pursuit

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21-year-old black man was fatally shot by Indianapolis police on Wednesday evening in an altercation streamed live on Facebook. According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), officers began pursuing the individual after they noticed him driving “recklessly” and attempted to pull him over.

While he has not been named by authorities, the victim has been identified as Sean Reed by family members and local media outlets.

The police shooting, along with the widely-shared video footage, has sparked a call for answers and accountability, and led to protests at the scene of the victim’s death.

What happened to Sean Reed?
Around 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening, an IMPD officer reported noticing a car driving dangerously on the I-65 interstate. Officers began to chase the vehicle, which police say was speeding, and had allegedly almost struck other cars.

Reed is seen driving in the Facebook Live video which is believed to show the chase, and appears to be speaking to his viewers. As he parks his car, he gives out his address and asks for help, saying “please come get me.”

Police say that the victim ignored verbal commands to stop as he exited his car, though none of the commands are audible in the portion of the stream which showed Reed leaving his vehicle. In the video, as the victim runs, someone is heard in the background telling him to stop.

Authorities have said the officer fired taser at Reed during the chase on foot.

Gunshots are heard shortly after that — over a dozen in total. According to police, there “was an exchange of gunfire between the driver and the officer.” While Reed was shot, the officer engaged with him was not.

Some time after the shooting ends, a conversation between officers responding to the scene is heard on the video, which was still streaming. At one point, a male voice says, “I think it’s going to be a closed casket homie.”

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The officer who shot Reed, who the IMPD has said is also black but has not otherwise identified, has been placed on administrative leave. There is no police bodycam footage of the shooting; an internal investigation has been launched.

Chief Taylor also addressed the “closed casket” comments broadcasted on the Facebook live video, and confirmed they were made by a detective was not present at the time of the shooting but later responded to the scene.

“His comments are unacceptable and unbecoming of our police department,” Chief Taylor said, adding that there will be disciplinary actions.

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