27-year-old charged with murder of teen on Dubail Street
St. Joseph County Jail: Keontice M. Reed SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Officer announced Thursday afternoon that a 27-year-old South Bend man has been arrested for the homicide of a 16-year-old boy on Tuesday evening.
The suspect, identified as Keontice M. Reed, has been charged with Murder, a Felony, and Dealing in Marijuana, a Level 6 Felony, along with Felony Firearm Enhancement.
On Tuesday, officers responded around 5 p.m., to a shooting in the 1300 block of Dubail Street.
Police arrived to find a 16-year-old boy suffering from a gunshot wound to his head.
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation led to the discovery of a large amount of marijuana and cash. Reed remained at the scene and was taken into custody.
The sentencing range for Murder is 45-65 years. The sentencing range for a Level 6 Felony is six months to two and a half years. The sentencing range for Firearm Enhancement is five to 20 years.
A judicial officer found that there was probable cause and determined Reed should be held without bond.
Reed is now in custody at the St. Joseph County Jail. He's expected to be arraigned on Friday.
According to the probable cause affidavit in this case, prior to police arriving on scene, dispatch received a call from a woman advising a homeowner had shot a man allegedly breaking into a car.
Police arrived to find the 16-year-old victim lying on the ground next to a black Dodge Charge with the driver's side door open. Police say the teen was unarmed with no cell phone and was suffering from a single gunshot wound to his head.
Reed informed police the gun used was inside the house at 1325 W. Dubail St.
Reed, his girlfriend, and their 4-year-old child were all taken to the police station to be interviewed. The child was found to be non-verbal and was released to another family member.
Reed's girlfriend told investigators Reed was leaving the house to pick up their son from school. She told authorities she was in her bedroom when she heard a loud bang.
She stated she then went to the back door where she was met by Reed who asked her to call 911 because someone was breaking into their car.
She told police she then saw the victim on the ground near the car, and it appeared he'd been shot. She told police she didn’t see Reed with a gun, but said Reed told her he put his gun back in their closet where he keeps it.
Reed's girlfriend then told investigators Reed often carries a gun with him legally, but not all the time. She went on to say she believes he has three guns, two handguns and one AR style gun.
Investigators then reviewed video footage from their backyard camera which is said to show two black cars parked on Swygart Street facing south, one of which is the black Charger.
Police say the video shows the victim walking south on Swygart Street towards the Charger before opening the driver’s door and reaching into the car.
At that point, investigators say Reed is seen walking out the backdoor, before seeing the victim in his car.
Police say Reed then walks towards the victim before firing one shot as the victim turned to see him in the yard.
Authorities say the victim then instantly dropped to the ground with no other movement.
Investigators say the video includes audio and Reed didn't say anything to the victim before shooting.
The video also captured Reed stating he shot someone breaking into the car, according to case documents.
Reed also spoke with police after being read his Miranda Rights. Reed confirmed he was leaving to get his son from school. Reed said he walked out the back door and witnessed a Black man in a hoodie inside his Dodge Charger.
Reed told investigators he then said, “Get out of there,” which police say contradicts the video. Reed would not provide further details on what happened after that but confirmed he owns a 9mm and 45 caliber handguns as well as an AR style gun.
Reed then requested a lawyer and the interview ended.
South Bend crime scene technicians executed a search warrant of the house where they found the guns as well as a 45-caliber casing in the backyard where the shooting took place.
Technicians also found two large suitcases in the basement which were filled with marijuana and $12,801 in cash. The marijuana was collected after the search warrant was amended.
The weight of the marijuana was approximately 2,694.14 grams in vacuum sealed bags with several other smaller bags of marijuana in “nugget” form weighing around 994.84 grams.
Police say there were also bags of a loose green leafy substance which tested positive for synthetic marijuana weighing around 954.47 grams.
