Student: Eastern Michigan University apartments said not to call 911

Claim: University Green Apartments told residents not to call 911 before Demarius Reed's murder

DETROIT – An Eastern Michigan University student, who lives in or near an apartment complex where a fellow student was murdered, claims his landlord has discouraged calls to 911. 

The student, whose name is being withheld, made the allegation to the Ypsilanti City Manager, who passed it on to Police Chief Tony Deguisti. 

He believes the student is telling the truth.

Read: EMU students hold anti-violence rally.

"He told me the management company told him not call police-- to call them instead and they would take care of it," said Deguisti. "He was told the management company would be billed for police service and would pass it on to tenants."

The chief says he encourages 911 calls, and apartment complexes are never billed for service.

Demarius Reed was fatally shot last week inside the University Green Apartments. A spokesman for the complex said the idea that 911 calls are discouraged is "absurd." It was not immediately clear whether the student who made the allegation lives there, or in another complex north of campus.

--Demarius Reed

Deguisti says six people heard gunshots around the time of Reed's murder but didn't call police.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Reed's killer. Police will begin beefing patrols north of campus starting tonight.