On Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, Eastern Michigan University students gathered outside of the campus Lake House in front of the Student Center for a vigil to honor De'Martravion “Trey” Reed.
Reed was a Black student at Delta State University in Mississippi whose body was found hanging from a tree on Delta State’s campus on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Police reportedly did not find evidence of foul play upon initial investigation, but the manner of Reed’s death has raised questions from his family and some civil rights organizations and has sparked outrage online, with many drawing parallels to lynchings.
In a press conference held on Sept. 17, 2025, DSU Police Chief Mike Peeler said the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting a full autopsy. Since the autopsy was completed on Sept. 18, 2025, Reed's death has been ruled a suicide; however, the final toxicology results remain pending and the investigation is still active.
EMU students respond
At EMU, some student leaders on campus felt called upon to take action and planned the vigil to give campus community members an outlet for their grief.
The vigil was planned in less than 24 hours, said Aiyana Mackey, vice president of EMU’s Black Honors Student Organization and one of the event organizers. Planning it was a joint effort between campus organizations including BHSO, Sophisticated Talented Youthful Leaders & Entrepreneurs, or STYLE, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, she said.
For Daeshawn Williams, president of BHSO, being a Black student at a predominantly white institution makes events like these all the more important. He credits BHSO, which offers social events, activism opportunities, professional development, scholarships and more, with helping him find his community at EMU.
Honoring Reed
Vigil organizers passed out candles and began the event by addressing the crowd.
“Social activism is important,” Mackey said to the crowd. “If we don’t do it, no one else will.”
Attendees observed a moment of silence to honor Reed before organizers opened up the floor for attendees to share with the group. Many speakers called for community and love and encouraged the crowd to use their voices to speak up.
“Your voice matters,” said Michala Johnson, EMU student and president of EMU’s branch of Burning Bush Campus Ministries.
LaNyia Durr, vice president of Burning Bush, led the group in a prayer.
“Thank you for this unity, dear God,” she said. “I just ask that we come together as a community – as brothers and sisters – to love one another and rely on each other.”
Matthew McKnight, a kinesiology major representing Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, also encouraged unity and connection – not just in hard times, but in the good times too.
Others reminded attendees to engage in uncomfortable discussions, even when it’s difficult.
“This is a time to mourn; this is a time to reflect on what’s happened. But just because it’s time to mourn, doesn’t mean it’s time to stay silent,” said one student speaker, who addressed his peers during the event. “It doesn’t mean that we need to cower in fear. We will never let them drive us out.”
Some attendees were motivated to join the vigil when they heard the news of Reed’s death.
“I heard about the passing of one of our other Black brothers in this country – you know, I had to step out and support,” said Chloe Shorter, a marketing major who attended the vigil.
Others joined in hopes of offering support to a grieving community. Laila Purdy, president of the student group Sistas That Care, a Black women collective with a focus on sisterhood and mental health, attended the vigil to share resources with attendees. She encouraged affected students to remember to breathe and practice self-care.
“As much as we can advocate for others, if we don’t advocate for ourselves, it’s hard to show up for other people,” Purdy said.
She suggested journaling, art and other stress-releasing activities. Purdy also reminded students of the resources EMU offers, including mental health counseling services, the Office of Access and Opportunity and more. She encouraged students to reach out to a trusted adult if they need support.
Campus Resources
If you or anyone you know is in need of help or support, consider using these campus resources.
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Call 734-487-1118 or visit the Campus Wellness Center at 1075 N. Huron River Drive (arrive by 4 p.m.).
After 5 p.m. and on weekends and holidays: Call 734-487-1118 for CAPS after-hours crisis counseling.
Campus police: Call 734-487-1222.
Call 911 if someone is hurt or in immediate danger.
734-487-3118
734-487-2377
