Two suspects in custody in fatal shooting of Eastern Michigan football player

Two suspects are in custody in connection with the shooting of an Eastern Michigan University football player found dead in October at his off-campus apartment building, the university reported Monday.

According to a statement made by Eastern Michigan, “the Ypsilanti Police Department has identified two individuals in connection with the murder of Demarius Reed. Both are in custody.”

Ed Thomas, 20, of Detroit, was arraigned Sunday on charges of open murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, records show. Charges have also been filed against Kristopher Pratt, 20, also of Detroit, on charges of open murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

“I have a mix of emotions right now,” said Reed’s father, Carl, on Monday. “It brought relief that the police have been working so diligently and doing a good job to work the case, but it also brought sadness because all of those feelings have resurfaced.”


Reed, 20 and a junior, was gunned down about 7:15 a.m. Oct. 18 in the University Green Apartments on the 700 block of West Clark Road in what appeared to be a robbery. He was left to die in the hallway of the off-campus apartment building.