Trelin Reed, a 21-year-old African American male from Austin, Texas, tragically lost his life on November 29, 2016. Reed was fatally shot while sitting in his SUV outside a convenience store at the corner of Interstate 35 and St. John’s Avenue. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. when Reed, along with his girlfriend and cousin, had arranged to meet Jabari Mitchell, the ex-boyfriend of Reed's sister, to potentially settle a dispute over Mitchell sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos
of Reed's sister on social media.
Mitchell, who was 25 years old at the time, allegedly lured Reed to the location and opened fire on the SUV. Reed was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at St. David’s Medical Center. Two other individuals in the car were injured but survived. Surveillance footage from the convenience store captured muzzle flashes and a long black object protruding from a hole in the fence, indicating the location of the shooter.
Jabari Mitchell was arrested and charged with murder. He faced a bail set at $500,000. During the trial, Mitchell's defense attorney criticized the Austin police for not thoroughly investigating other potential suspects. Despite the evidence presented, the jury returned a not-guilty verdict on June 13, 2018, clearing Mitchell of all charges. The acquittal was part of a series of murder trial losses in Travis County, prompting discussions about improving communication between law enforcement and prosecutors.
The Reed family and the community were deeply affected by Trelin's death, and the case highlighted the complexities and challenges of prosecuting violent crimes. The tragic loss of Trelin Reed remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims and their families.
