BREAKING: The death of Phillip Reeder, a 52-year-old unarmed man, has been officially ruled a homicide after an Alabama police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest. This shocking revelation comes from a coroner’s autopsy reviewed by The Associated Press and is sending shockwaves through the community.
The Jefferson County medical examiner determined Reeder died last August 6, 2024, from heart failure linked to cocaine use and restraint during an altercation with police. Reeder was reportedly wandering in and out of traffic on Highway 78 near Irondale when officers were dispatched just after 5 a.m. to respond to a medical emergency call made by a colleague.
At a press conference on Monday, Reeder’s family attorney, Harry Daniels, drew heartbreaking parallels between Reeder’s death and that of George Floyd in 2020, emphasizing the need for accountability. “This world was captivated and shocked about what happened in 2020 in Minneapolis,” Daniels stated. “In 2024, the exact same thing happened.”
Reeder’s wife, Sandra Lee Reeder, revealed that body camera footage shows her husband pleading, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe,” three times before he became unresponsive. The footage has not been released to the public, but both she and the family have reviewed it. “If I stand right here and count to 120 seconds — a lot can happen. That’s three minutes,” attorney Daniels remarked, highlighting the duration of the officer’s knee on Reeder’s neck.
The family has been awaiting answers for nearly a year, with Sandra Lee Reeder stating, “What I have gone through these past 11 months should not happen to any 19-year-old.” Her sons also reviewed the footage and expressed their anger and anguish over the events leading to their father’s tragic death.
The Irondale Police Department has responded to the claims, asserting that Reeder was under the influence and behaving erratically. In a statement, they claimed that officers used a Taser only after Reeder resisted and that no excessive force was applied. They insist they did not place a knee on his neck, contrary to the family’s assertions.
As this case unfolds, the Reeder family is calling for transparency and justice from the police department. The emotional impact of this incident resonates deeply within the community, reigniting discussions on police conduct and accountability in similar cases.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The release of body camera footage and further investigations into the Irondale Police Department’s practices is expected to be a focal point in the coming days. The family and community demand answers and justice as they continue to process the loss of Phillip Reeder.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
