Martell Edwards, a 23-year-old African American man, was killed by a gunshot in Harvey, Illinois, on April 28, 2006. The weapon used was identified as a .45-caliber Remington semiautomatic handgun. That same gun had been confiscated by Harvey police in October 2005 from Anthony Reynolds after an incident in which Reynolds reportedly pointed it at two officers, but the firearm was later returned to Reynolds’ stepfather following a meeting with Harvey officials.

Edwards’ family filed a lawsuit against the City of Harvey and Detective Hollis Dorrough, alleging negligence in the return and handling of the handgun and blaming that decision for Martell’s death. Anthony Reynolds was later charged with murder in connection with the shooting, and the litigation sought unspecified damages for the family’s loss. Questions remain about how the firearm came to be returned and what policies governed that decision.

If anyone knew Martell, witnessed events around April 28, 2006, or has information about the firearm’s chain of custody, please share what is known.