EMU Football Player Found Shot To Death

YPSILANTI (WWJ)  - Ypsilanti police say a 20-year-old Eastern Michigan University football player, found dead in an apartment complex hallway, had been shot multiple times.

Demarius Reed's body was discovered at 7:15 a.m. Friday at the off-campus University Green Apartments in the 700 block of West Clark Rd., near LeForge Road.

Some personal items were taken, leading police to believe robbery could have been the motive.

There have been no arrests, and the Ypsilanti Police Department, with assistance from Eastern Michigan University Public Safety continues to investigate this case as a homicide.

An autopsy has been completed, but police said the medical examiner's results would not be available for some time.

Reed, a junior, was a Communication, Media and Theatre Arts major and a wide receiver for the EMU Eagles.

In a note to students and faculty. EMU President Susan Martin said Reed was "well-liked and considered a leader among his teammates and friends."

"We are all deeply saddened by the tragic news this morning involving Eastern Michigan University student Demarius Reed," said Martin.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and his teammates on the football team."

Added EMU Vice President/Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Heather Lyke, "The EMU family has suffered an unbelievable loss today. 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.'

"Our hearts go out to Demarius' family. We are doing all we can to help and support them along with the rest of our student-athletes," Lyke said.

Counseling is being made available for students and others in the EMU family. People who would like those services are encouraged to contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 734-487-1118.

To honor Reed, Saturday's home game against Ohio University is still scheduled to be played at 1 p.m., the school said. This season, he had 15 receptions for 185 yards and one touchdown.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call Detective Sergeant Thomas Eberts at 734-482-9878 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAKUP (773-2587).