Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke fired 16 shots at 17-year-old McDonald, who was black, as he walked away from officers in October 2014. That day, Van Dyke was charged with six counts of first degree murder and one count of official misconduct.
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Chicago’s police superintendent says he will recommend the firing of seven officers involved in the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald.
The superintendent’s recommendation follows a report from inspector general Joseph Ferguson, who said that 10 police officers should be fired.
In addition, two other high-ranking officers retired during the city’s long-delayed response to the incident.
Mr Johnson did not release the names of the officers he is calling to fire, but numerous officers were at the scene of the shooting.
Prosecutors had chose to charge Van Dyke because he wasn’t facing an immediate threat from McDonald, and because he continued to fire at the teen as he lay on the ground after being shot. The OIG also recommended three other officers for separation, but Guglielmi said two of those officers retired and that the department disagreed with the OIG on the third officer, citing a lack of evidence.
Officers attempted to surround Laquan, but he slashed one of the tires of a squad auto and began jogging away, according to police. “As I have said before, with every decision that I make, I always keep in mind the tremendous sacrifice, bravery and commitment of every officer”.
In June, authorities in the crime-wracked city, hoping to fix relations, released a trove of videos, audio recordings and materials related to active investigations of police conduct.
A spokeswoman for the inspector general’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In December, the US Justice Department announced it would launch an investigation into the Chicago Police Department.
The officers’ reports appeared to contradict what can be seen on the video. The initial police statements prompted police supervisors to rule McDonald’s death a justifiable homicide just hours after he was killed.
Earlier this month, a Cook County judge appointed a special prosecutor to take over the case against Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in Laquan’s death. Chicago is facing a surge in shootings and bloodshed this year, and many residents are extremely anxious about the city’s direction.
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The recommendations now go to the city’s Police Board for a final decision.
