In sad news, Demarius Reed, the 20 year old starting wide receiver for Eastern Michigan who was found shot to death on October 18 at his off campus apartment building in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was laid to rest yesterday in his hometown of Chicago, Il. Those who attended the funeral service were asked to focus not on the barbaric way his life ended, but the inspiring way he lived it.
The Senior Pastor encouraged all of those mourning to focus on the happy moments they shared with Reed.
“I admonish you to not talk about loss,” said Douglas Moye Sr., the church’s host pastor. “When you dwell on loss, it’s magnified.”
One by one, family and friends of the slain wide receiver talked about his talents and how he was a role model to other kids in the gang-ridden streets of Chicago where he came from. They saw him make it out and started believing that they could do the same.
One of Reed’s childhood coaches released a statement to the Chicago Tribune saying,
“His drive and his will to succeed in life, period, whether it was in school or on the field, you know that was just the type of young man he was.”
The team played at NIU Saturday and at the game the Huskies wore stickers with Reed’s number to honor him. They also observed a moment of silence for their fallen comrade. The police are investigating anybody that attended a party in the apartment building that occurred on the same night Reed was murdered and have offered a $5,000 reward for any information that helps to solve this crime. They are asking that you call 734-368-8780 or 734-368-8776 if you have any information.
Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. Hopefully whoever committed this heinous act will be brought to justice sooner than later.