Indianapolis Police Officer Who Killed Dreasjon Reed Not Indicted

An Indianapolis police officer who fatally shot Dreasjon Reed after a high-speed car chase that was captured on Facebook Live will not face criminal charges.

Police officer will not face charges

A grand jury declined to indict Dejoure Mercer who shot and killed 21-year-old Deasjon “Sean” Reed on May 6.

Mercer and several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, including the Chief of police, were in pursuit of Reed for driving recklessly, according to police. After about 10 minutes the chief allegedly called off the chase because of how fast Reed was driving. But Mercer, who saw Reed pull over and park, went after him on foot.

Dreasjon Reed recorded the incident on Facebook Live

By then, Reed had been live streaming the chase on Facebook Live and thousands of people were watching.

Authorities say there was a confrontation between the two and that Mercer and Reed exchanged gunfire.

With Mercer behind him, Reed is struck presumably by a stun gun which can be heard in the video. Both he and the camera fall to the ground and a series of gunshots ring out. Moments later another officer remarks that Reed will need a “closed casket.”

There is no police body camera or dashcam video of the shooting.

A special prosecutor was appointed to investigate Reed’s killing, but after reviewing the evidence presented, a six-person grand jury said there was insufficient evidence to indict Mercer.

Reed’s killing sparked protests throughout the summer. Within a couple hours of the grand jury’s decision, demonstrators began gathering in downtown Indianapolis.

His family filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the police department.