In custosy: Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke (left) arrives at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago on Tuesday to be charged with murder in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald (right)
Officer Jason Van Dyke, 37, gunned down 17-year-old Laquan McDonald - who was armed with a small knife - within seconds of getting out of his cop car on October 20 last year.
He reportedly fired at the teenager from around 15 feet away, striking him in the head and chest, before continuing to shoot at him while he lay in an 'almost fetal position' on the ground.
A white Chicago police officer who fatally shot an African-American teenager 16 times was charged this morning with first-degree murder.
Officer Jason Van Dyke, 37, gunned down 17-year-old Laquan McDonald - who was armed with a small knife - within seconds of getting out of his cop car on October 20 last year.
He reportedly fired at the teenager from around 15 feet away, striking him in the head and chest, before continuing to shoot at him while he lay in an 'almost fetal position' on the ground.
Trailed by reporters and camera crews, Van Dyke, flanked by his attorney, declined to comment on his way to the courthouse on Tuesday
At around 7.30pm local time, the veteran officer - who has been on paid desk duty since the deadly shooting in the city's Archer Heights neighborhood - turned himself in at the Cook County courthouse to face a murder charge in the case.
The officer will appear at a bond hearing at noon CST, according to a statement from State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Van Dyke is the first Chicago police officer to be charged with murder in connection to an on-duty fatality in 35 years, according to reports.
It comes a day before dashboard camera footage of the shooting is set to be finally released by Chicago Police Department after a judge ruled that the force must make it public by tomorrow.
Protesters have been pushing for the footage - which allegedly shows McDonald being shot in the back by Van Dyke, who then keeps firing - to be released by authorities for 13 months.
However, it is still yet to emerge. A judge finally ruled last week that the video must be released following a lawsuit from a freelance journalist, who had sued under Illinois's open records law.
Van Dyke is pictured on the left in his booking photo after he turned himself in. On the tight, the veteran cop is pictured in a Facebook snapshot wearing a T-shirt that reads 'Infidel'
Officer Van Dyke is pictured here in riot gear during protests that erupted in Chicago in 2012 during a NATO summit
Several people who have seen the footage say it shows McDonald armed with a small knife and walking away from several officers. Officials claim the teenager was also acting erratically.
Police have said McDonald had threatened them with a knife and slashed at the tires and windshield of a patrol car.
Within seconds of climbing out of his police car, Van Dyke can allegedly be seen opening fire at McDonald, striking him in the head, chest, torso, arms, legs, hands, and at least twice in the back.
None of the other responding officers at the scene fired any rounds, officials told WGN-TV.
Riddled with bullets: This autopsy diagram provided by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office shows the location of the gunshot wounds on McDonald's body, including at least two on his back and one on his head
Scene: Van Dyke allegedly gunned down the 17-year-old - who was armed with a small knife - within seconds of getting out of his cop car on October 20 last year. Above, police tape cordons off the scene of the shooting
DeadlY: The veteran officer - who has been on paid desk duty since the shooting in the city's Archer Heights neighborhood - is set to to face a first-degree murder charge today, it is reported. Above, cops at the scene
Campaign: Journalist Brandon Smith, left, and activist William Calloway talk to reporters last week after a Cook County judge ordered the Chicago Police Department to release dashcame footage of the shooting
Attorney: Daniel Q. Herbert (right), attorney for Van Dyke, is pictured last Friday, while Mr Calloway (left) talk to reporters about the shooting, which allegedly occurred within seconds of the officer getting out of his car
Daily Mail
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