Two Chicago Police Officers Involved With Laquan McDonald Shooting Have Been Promoted

Van Dyke’s attorney would have to convince a judge the officer could not be granted a fair trial in Chicago. The judge scheduled his arraignment for December 29.

The Chicago Police Officer who shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times has been indicted on six counts of murder.

These actions were followed by nearly daily protests, with critics asking why it took 13 months for the city to release the video and for a murder charge to be filed by Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

One protester pounded on the back of the truck before Van Dyke was able to pull away.

Herbert has said Van Dyke feared for his life and the lives of his fellow officers, and the video of the incident doesn’t tell the whole story.

MURDER/STRONG PROB KILL/INJURE WITH FIREARM: Van Dyke shot and killed McDonald without legal justification and while armed with a firearm, knowing that such an act created a strong probability of death or great bodily harm to Laquan.

It has been a tough few weeks for Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel.

A throng of news cameras and angry screams greeted Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke Friday after he appeared for a brief court hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courts building.

“We hold our police officers to a high standard and obviously in this case, Jason Van Dyke violated both the standards of professionalism that come with being a police officer but also basic moral standards that bind our community together”, Emanuel said.

The chant of “16 shots” could clearly be heard among students at Urban Prep after a visit and address from Emanuel, who later said he understands the outrage and the need for getting to the root of the problems within the police department.

U.S. Department of Justice officials set up a phone number and email for people to report alleged misconduct by Chicago police.

The DOJ announced the investigation on December 7 soon after the release of video showing a white Chicago police officer fatally shooting a black teenager.

“The investigation is focused on CPD’s use of force, including racial, ethnic or other disparities in its use of force, and CPD’s accountability systems including how CPD conducts internal investigations, responds to citizen complaints and handles officer discipline”, the department’s notice read.