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NOTE: This article may include commentary reflecting the author’s position.
Isn’t it funny how the Regime Media side with the poor, abused law enforcement officers when a riot composed of their political opponents gets out of hand *cough*January 6*cough* despite five minutes ago (during the summer of BLM riots) posting reports implying that all cops are just a bunch of racists with guns, badges, and serious anger management problems?
It would be nice if we had real media coverage that calls balls and strikes with police conduct regardless of who the interaction was with, but those days appear to be long gone.
Instead, you’ll get narrative-driven reporting that excludes key facts and “asks questions” but ignores other equally relevant questions, especially if the incident involves one of their preferred victim groups.
It is oft posted on the platform formerly known as Twitter that, “No matter how much you hate journalists, it’s not enough.”
This is a prime example of that.
CNN’s report by Omar Jimenez frames the death of 26-year-old Dexter Reed as the use of excessive force at a traffic stop but fails to mention a few key details.
Jimenez posted a video on X that includes bodycam footage of the incident that left Reed dead after nearly a hundred rounds were fired.
It also contains clips of Reed’s family members who make it pretty clear that they think the police were out of line in their actions.
How did a traffic stop for not wearing a seatbelt end with 96 gunshots, an injured officer, and a dead 26-year-old? Some say it was because Dexter Reed fired at officers first, as the initial investigation shows. Some believe the stop never should’ve happened in the first place. pic.twitter.com/1Yg7fhVjZB
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) April 9, 2024
“Some say it was because Dexter Reed fired at officers first, as the initial investigation shows,” writes Jimenez.
Well, that seems relevant, doesn’t it?
Jimenez and Holly Yan do include that in their reporting on CNN.com, but add in a big “BUT”…
Newly released bodycam footage reveals the mayhem that unfolded in a residential neighborhood when Chicago police fired as many as 96 bullets toward a man during a traffic stop, killing the 26-year-old and raising questions about whether officers used excessive force.
While a preliminary investigation suggests the driver opened fire on officers first, his family and attorneys question why plain-clothed officers swarmed Dexter Reed’s car with guns drawn and fired dozens of shots at him.
The fatal encounter happened in the city’s Garfield Park neighborhood on March 21. Several graphic bodycam videos were released Tuesday by Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Source: CNN (Emphasis added)
Gee, could it be police officers are wearing plain clothes because they don’t feel safe wearing a uniform in the most violent neighborhood of Chicago? Could that be a factor?
CNN doesn’t think that’s worth asking questions about.
Another thing that they didn’t think was worth the query was why Reed was wearing a ski mask covering his face while driving. I mean, sure, it wasn’t exactly balmy at 41 degrees, on March 21, but it wasn’t exactly balaclava weather, either.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) is responsible for investigating officer-involved shooting incidents as well as any police misconduct allegations.
CNN’s report continues:
“Upon stopping Mr. Reed, multiple officers surrounded his vehicle while giving verbal commands. When Mr. Reed did not comply with these commands, officers pointed their firearms at Mr. Reed and ultimately there was an exchange of gunfire which left Mr. Reed dead and an officer shot in the forearm,” COPA said.
“Review of video footage and initial reports appears to confirm that Mr. Reed fired first, striking the officer and four officers returned fire,” the office said.
It was not immediately clear from CNN’s review of bodycam footage who fired first.
Source: CNN (Emphasis added)
If the “why are there plain clothes officers” patrolling an area that is riddled with crime in an era of defund the police is “just asking a question”, then pointing out that the guy driving around in said neighborhood with his face covered is just as legitimate a question.
So is questioning Reed’s actions including why he refused to comply with police. Could it be because he was doing something he shouldn’t have been doing? Perhaps violating parole by illegally possessing a firearm?
CNN doesn’t ask that question, either.
But they should have.
The man Chicago police leaders say was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police officers during a traffic stop this week was on pretrial release for a pending felony gun charge, according to court records.
Dexter Reed, 26, was arrested on July 13 after Chicago cops said they found him in possession of a firearm in the 1800 block of West Warren. Police responded to a call of a person with a gun at the Windy City Smokeout, an annual barbecue event, and found Reed armed with a handgun, according to his arrest report.
Source: CWB Chicago (Emphasis added)
That also seems relevant, doesn’t it?
This guy was on pretrail release for a felony gun charge and … was clearly in possession of another gun.
Is this how the Regime Media crafts “fake news” and peddles it to the public?
As you’d expect, Reed’s family is standing on his grave grifting off of his death and CNN just helped them by amplifying their message.
From the GoFundMe (that I refuse to link to):
We all know that this would be reported differently if Dexter Reed was a white guy. It probably wouldn’t be reported at all, and that’s a problem, too.
What if this really is a case of unlawful use of force? Is it because Reed is black or because there’s a problem in the Chicago PD? Wouldn’t that be a good thing to know?
Let me be clear, it’s good that there’s an investigation going on because 96 rounds is just an unfathomable number for an incident that began as a traffic stop, but … Reed chose to shoot first, and at that point, FAFO applies.
Journalists often wonder why trust in media is failing — this is why. Articles are written and reporting is done with a particular far-left framing and that leaves blind spots.
People actually do want “fair and balanced” coverage of news stories, not this sort of partisan hackery pushed out by CNN and NBC under the guise of “journalism.”
Just be honest, guys. Admit your biases and we’ll stop making fun of you. (Mostly.)
Right-leaning social media influencers nail it:
Media narrative: Reality: pic.twitter.com/1DhDank3qR
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) April 10, 2024
"He was just riding around in his car… and they k*lled him!" – Mother of Dexter Reed
False. Dexter was pulled over for a traffic stop and responded by sh00ting at the police.
They want another George Floyd movement and are looking for a martyr. The media is also coaxing it… pic.twitter.com/NRtfRRYoUE
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 10, 2024
That’s what’s really upsetting the journos — Libs of TikTok and End Wokeness are more reliable than CNN.
