INDIANAPOLIS — The special prosecutor in the Dreasjon “Sean” Reed case on Wednesday afternoon called on the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to hand over its investigation to the Indiana State Police.
Reed was shot and killed by an IMPD officer after a pursuit May 6.
Rosemary Khoury, a deputy prosecutor in Madison County, was appointed special prosecutor on Thursday. She said in a statement issued Wednesday by Indiana State Police that she wants to review the evidence in “as sterile an environment as possible.”
“In the current climate, it is my professional opinion that it is in the best interest of all involved that the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department not conduct the investigation in this matter and allow an independent law enforcement agency to assume this responsibility. Therefore, on this date, I am requesting that this criminal investigation be reassigned to the Indiana State Police. In order to conduct as thorough and complete of an investigation as possible, I am also asking the community to cooperate with me and with the investigators who are working alongside me.”
A spokeswoman for IMPD said shortly after the announcement that it was unaware of the statement. About an hour later, IMPD issued this statement: “We defer to the assigned special prosecutor for the officer-involved shooting that took place on May 6, 2020 at 6200 N. Michigan Road. IMPD continues to cooperate with any request for information by the special prosecutor or the Indiana State Police.”
Khoury also said in the statement, “I am not permitted to try the case in the media. However, I will keep the citizens of the community whom I serve abreast of the process and progress of this investigation. I would ask that anyone with pertinent information regarding this case, please call the Indiana State Police at 765.778.2121.”
The special prosecutor’s statement came hours after IMPD identified Officer Dejoure Mercer as the person who shot Reed. Mercer has been with the department for four years. IMPD says Mercer has no violations in his discipline records. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
