CHICAGO — Two men have been charged with murder in the October slaying of Demarius Reed, a former Simeon Career Academy football star who attended college in Michigan.
Reed was found dead in his off-campus apartment in Ypsilanti, Mich., about 7:15 a.m. on Oct. 18, according to Eastern Michigan University officials. The 20-year-old junior had been shot in his head during an apparent robbery.
On Monday, Ypsilanti police announced they had arrested and charged two suspects.
Ed Jemeal Thomas was charged with murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, according to Ypsilanti Police Chief Tony DeGiusti.
A second man faces the following charges: murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, DeGiusti said.
The Tribune reports that Thomas and the other man, who they identified as Kristopher Kaivon Pratt, are both 20 years old and from Detroit.
"We are gratified to hear this news, and hope the Reed family can draw some comfort from this development," said Fran Parker, chairwoman of the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents.
Reed was majoring in communication, media and theater arts, according to university officials.
During his high school career at Simeon, Reed was ranked by ESPN.com as the 64th best cornerback in the country, while Rivals.com said he was the 43rd best prospect in Illinois. He was "very agile and aggressive on the field," according to his player bio from the Eastern Michigan Eagles website.
Reed was a starting wide receiver for the Eagles, averaging 12.3 yards on 15 receptions.
"The EMU family has suffered an unbelievable loss today," EMU athletic director Heather Lyke said in October. "Demarius was an influential leader who thrived in the classroom and on the field. Everyone gravitated to him and often described him as the 'life of the locker room.'"
