Friday afternoon the Eastern Michigan athletic department released an official statement on the tragic death of junior wide receiver Demarius Reed. Reed was found dead Friday morning in an off-campus apartment building, the victim of what police are investigating as a homicide.
Through an official release provided by the EMU athletic department, saying, "the Eastern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is extending its deepest condolences to the family, friends and teammates following the passing of (Chicago, Ill.-Simeon Academy), a junior student-athlete on the football team.Eastern Michigan." In the statement the athletic department also confirmed that Saturday's home game vs. Ohio University is still scheduled to take place at 1 p.m.
EMU's Director of Athletics Heather Lyke issued condolences to Reed's family:
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.
Eastern Michigan president Susan Martin also issued a statement:
We are all deeply saddened by the tragic news this morning involving Eastern Michigan University student Demarius Reed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and his teammates on the football team. As we reported earlier, Demarius, a 20-year old junior majoring in Communication, Media and Theatre Arts and a member of the football team, was the victim of an apparent homicide that was discovered at 7:15 this morning at an off campus location in the 700 block of West Clark Rd., near the intersection of LeForge Rd. and Clark Rd. The circumstances involving his death remain under investigation at this time by the Ypsilanti Police Department. The EMU Police Department is in close contact with Ypsilanti Police and we will provide additional information as we learn additional details.
Counseling is available for students and others in the EMU family who may want those services. You can contact Counseling and Psychological Services at 734-487-1118. The offices are located at 313 Snow Health Center. Counselors recommend that those interested call ahead before stopping in.
A dedicated website has been established to provide the latest updates about the situation as well as information about counseling services. We will have a community forum at 5 p.m. this afternoon in the EMU Student Center Auditorium, in which EMU Police Chief Bob Heighes and I will offer an update on the situation and be available to answer any questions from our campus community.