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Two Charged In Shooting Death Of Eastern Michigan Player Demarius Reed

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two men have been charged in the shooting death of a former Chicago high school football standout, police said on Monday.

The two men are being held in the murder of Demarius Reed, 20, who was found shot to death last month outside an off-campus apartment near Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.

Ed Jemeal Thomas, Charged With Murder
Ed Jemeal Thomas (Washtenaw County Sheriff)

The suspects have been identified as Ed Jemeal Thomas and Kristopher Kaivon Pratt.

Both are from Detroit and they have been charged with murder and armed robbery. Thomas was arraigned on Sunday, while Pratt is still awaiting his initial court hearing.

"There is a sense of relief," said Tanesha Reed, Demarius' mother. "It's just so much loss and so devastation because my son had everything to live for."

Tanesha Reed and her brother say they are sad to know that like Demarius, the two suspects are just 20 years old.

"These boys, their families are destroyed as well," said Demetrius Burgin, Demarius' uncle.

Reed, who played wide receiver for Eastern Michigan, was found in a stairwell in a off-campus apartment building called University Green in Ypsilanti. Reed played his high school career at Simeon Academy.

Reed suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and police said "personal items" were taken from him.

Reed's body was found around 7:15 a.m. in the 700 block of West Clark Road.

The apartment complex is located north of the campus.

"We are extremely grateful for the work and dedication of the Ypsilanti Police Department and our Department of Public Safety detectives in identifying suspects in this tragic and senseless crime against a wonderful student and inspiring young man," said Eastern Michigan President Susan Martin.

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