After more than a year, and an eventual judge order, Chicago police today released a dashcam video showing officer Jason Van Dyke shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. Police released the video the same day Van Dyke was indicted on first-degree murder charges. He is being held without bail.
From the Chicago Tribune (warning: link includes the graphic video):
The video is about six minutes long and appears to show 17-year-old Laquan McDonald running down the middle of Pulaski Road near 41st Street when Officer Jason Van Dyke, standing next to his SUV, opens fire.
... Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said she had decided weeks ago to charge Van Dyke weeks ago but was holding off until federal authorities completed their part of the joint investigation. She said she "moved up” her decision to charge Van Dyke after a Cook County judge ruled last week that the video should be released to the public.
“I felt compelled in the interest of public safety to announce these state charges today,” she said at a news conference after Van Dyke had been ordered held without bail at least until Monday in the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
Join Sojourners in prayer for Laquan's family, for the Chicago community, for all who will watch this disturbing video, for all who gather to stand against injustice, and for we, the church, to be a source of strength and healing.
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