Drug deal leads to double homicide, police say
Elijah Reid arranged a drug deal with two Moline men shot dead last month in Rock Island then returned from their car with a stack of money, boasting to friends that the two were dead, a police detective testified Tuesday.
Reid, 30, of 1351 3rd St., Rock Island, faces four counts of first-degree murder in Rock Island County Circuit Court in connection with the April 11 slayings of Ryan Ferry, 22, and Jermaine Robinson, 30.
Reid pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday, and his trial was set for June 23. He remained in custody on $4 million bail. Prosecutors have not made a decision on whether to seek the death penalty in his case.
Sean Roman, a Rock Island police detective, said Terrell D. Aaron, 27, of Chicago, and Carter McCray, 24, address unavailable, were both in a van waiting for Reid when the shooting occurred. They have been named material witnesses in the case.
The incident was reported by a female witness at 10:11 p.m. Officers arrived and found a red car in the middle of the street near the intersection of 7th Street and 13th Avenue.
Ferry was in the driver’s seat with gunshot wounds to his neck and right rear side of his head, Roman testified. Robinson, who was in the front passenger seat, was struck in the left temple and rear of his head, the detective added.
Police found around $13,000 in cash around Robinson’s feet and to his left, Roman said, while a cell phone registered to Aaron was found in the back seat. When police initially interviewed Aaron, he denied having any involvement in the shooting, then changed his story.
Roman said Aaron identified Reid from photographs and said Reid used his cell phone to arrange a drug deal with the victims. He said Reid did not have Robinson’s phone number, but Aaron had it programmed in his phone.
Police reviewed phone records and found at least three calls were made from Aaron’s phone to Robinson shortly before the shooting. Aaron said that during one call Reid told one of the men he would be getting the same drugs as before.
Reid and McCray, along with a third man, were in a van that Reid was driving when he stopped to go talk to Ferry and Robinson, Roman testified. When Reid returned from the men’s car, he had a three-inch stack of cash and said he “offed them,” Aaron reportedly told police.
McCray gave police similar statements, while the third individual lacked a few details, Roman said.
Reid refused to talk with police when first interviewed and denied any involvement in the double homicide when he was arrested later, Roman said.
Police found blood on one of Reid’s shirts and what they think might be blood between two bills they found in his possession. Tests are being done on the samples. Reid had around $160 to $180 with him when arrested, Roman said.
Possible blood samples were also found throughout Reid’s apartment and in three locations around the van’s driver’s seat, Roman said.
When asked by Reid’s attorney Jerry Shick what the primary evidence was for Reid’s arrest, Roman said it was the statements from McCray and Aaron.
Roman said police have not found the gun used in the crime or any bullets.
Dustin Lemmon can be contacted at (563) 383-2493 or dlemmon@qctimes.com.