City Of Chicago Releases Disturbing Video Of Teen Shot By Cop
DETROIT (WWJ) - Pent-up anger over the killing of a black teenager by a white Chicago police officer on the city's streets after authorities release a video of Laquan McDonald's shooting death in 2014.
The city of Chicago released the dashcam video of Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting 17-year-old McDonald. The video shows 16 shots fired at the teen over 15 seconds.
WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton says the video could present a major problem for the officer charged in this case.
"When the jurors see video ... it doesn't matter what went on before the video or after the video -- that is a very powerful piece of evidence," said Langton. "So the issue in this case is going to be: was the officer justified in shooting that 17-year-old? Did the officer fear for his safety? And that is really the only justification for using a gun to shoot someone."
The officer was charged with first-degree murder Tuesday, hours before the city released the video.