Eli Reed Jr., 21, died after being struck by a single gunshot at his Ankeny residence on January 25, 2022. He was taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and died the next day, January 26, 2022. Reed was a student at Iowa State University studying Criminal Justice, enrolled in ROTC, and a member of the Iowa National Guard and B Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment; he had graduated SE Polk High School in 2019 and had recently completed Airborne School and Ranger School.

The gunfire occurred while Reed and his roommate, fellow Guard member John Peak III, were drinking. The shooting is described as an accidental discharge by Peak. Peak was arrested, originally on other charges, and an involuntary manslaughter charge was added after Reed’s death. Reed’s family remembered him as dedicated, strong-willed, loving, and jovial.

Does anyone have information about the night of January 25, 2022, or knew Eli and can share details that could help clarify what happened?