Sinzae Reed was shot twice, according to autopsy sent to family and tweeted by advocate
The Franklin County Coroner's Office has released the autopsy report of at 13-year-old boy, who was fatally shot in October at a Columbus Hilltop apartment complex, to his family.
Sinzae Reed died the evening of Oct. 12 at OhioHealth Doctors Hospital. He was shot at the Wedgewood Apartments, in the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive, where police were called around 5:45 p.m. that day. When they arrived, they found Sinzae suffering from gunshot injuries and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived.
January 2023:Family calls for justice for Sin'Zae Reed, 13-year-old killed in Hilltop apartment complex
Sinzae's mother, Megan Reed, said she got a copy of her son's autopsy report in the mail Saturday, but the family has not yet provided the report to The Dispatch.
Ramon Obey II, president of JUST 614 and one of the activist advocates working with Sinzae's family, tweeted photos of the autopsy report. Obey did not respond Saturday to The Dispatch's requests for an interview or a copy of the full report.
The documents in the photos state Sinzae suffered two gunshot wounds: one to his right hand and one to the right side of his chest with a bullet wound that exited through his back.
Currently working to get better pics sent but here is sinzae Reeds autopsy he was shot multiple times once in his right hand or dominant hand. nothing on autopsy reports suggests sinzae had a gun. It's time to arrest Krieg Butler pic.twitter.com/b4iz0hTE4D
— Ramon Obey ii (@Ramon__Black) January 14, 2023
Though the autopsy report is apparently complete, the Franklin County Coroner's Office has not provided The Dispatch with a copy despite multiple prior formal requests made under the Ohio Public Records Act.
About 10 people gathered Saturday evening in front of Columbus Police Headquarters Downtown to call for justice for Sinzae.
Dejuan Sharp, president of the Columbus Downtowners, who has been advocating for Sinzae's family, said the group gathered to raise awareness.
"Nobody knew the autopsy was going to show up today. If we got it, they got it," he said, referring to police. "If they got it, why aren't things moving?"
Sharp said the family has done everything asked of them and taken every legal step they can. They want action now that the autopsy report is complete.
"We just feel like we're running into a brick wall every time," he said.
Hardin:Columbus council to examine Sinzae Reed advocates' demands for victim aid funds
Police allege Krieg Butler, 36, also a resident of the complex, fatally shot Reed. Prosecutors initially charged Butler with murder in connection with Reed's death, and a judge ordered authorities to hold him on $1 million bond. The charge was later dropped at the request of the Franklin County Prosecutor's office, pending further police investigation into Butler's claim of self-defense.
Police and the prosecutor's office have noted that there is no statute of limitations on filing a murder charge and the matter can be presented to a county grand jury to consider charges when authorities believe the case is ready.
Now, Sharp and others are calling for a grand jury to be called in the case and for police to arrest Butler again.
Columbus police did not Dispatch calls Saturday requesting an interview.
Krieg Butler:Family asks why charges dropped against Columbus man accused of killing 13-year-old
In a statement issued earlier this month, a Columbus Division of Police spokesperson said detectives continue “to investigate the circumstances of Mr. Reed’s death with the help of outside entities and are still awaiting key forensic and ballistic evidence.”
“We are aware of the community’s concerns regarding the investigation and want to ensure the community that this investigation is far from over,” the statement said.
Our view: Wait must end. Family, community deserve swift answers about Sinzae Reed's death
Court records state that an eyewitness saw Butler exit a red truck and fire multiple times at Reed before getting back into the vehicle and fleeing the scene.
In his obituary, family members remembered Reed, who went by 'Zay,' as a boy who loved music, video games and spending time with his friends. Reed attended KIPP Columbus, a charter school on the Northeast Side.
Dispatch reporter Cole Behrens contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Autopsy of Sinzae Reed, Columbus teen killed on Hilltop, released to family
