A Chicago police officer accused of shooting and killing an African American teen last year has been charged in his murder.
In a statement released by the State’s Attorney’s office, Officer Jason Van Dyke has been charged in the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014.
Since the shooting death of McDonald, family and community leaders have been fighting to have the video released of the shooting. A judge requested the dash cam video to be released by Wednesday. Those who viewed the tape say the teen appeared to have had a small knife and was walking away when Officer Van Dyke began shooting and didn’t stop until the teen fell.
An autopsy was performed on McDonald and it appears he was shot at least two times in his back. It also shows PCP and hallucinogenic drugs were in his system at the time of his death.
McDonald’s death isn’t the only one being investigated by Chicago police. Superintendent Paul McCarthy is recommending the firing of officer Dante Servin in the death of 22-year-old Rekia Boyd in 2012. McCarthy says that Servin showed “incredibly poor judgement” before shooting Boyd. Servin was acquitted in the murder of Boyd back in April.
