Video of white police officer shooting dead black teenager released
A video of a white police officer shooting dead a black teenager has been released by authorities in Chicago.
Seventeen-year-old Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times by police officer Jason Van Dyke, who emptied his gun and prepared to reload, prosecutors said.
On Tuesday, Van Dyke, 37, was charged with murdering Laquan, hours before the dashcam video of the shooting on October 20, 2014, was released.
In the video, which has no sound, officers are seen speeding towards the scene, where Laquan is running in the road holding a knife.
Two officers are seen getting out of a vehicle and approaching the teenager, who slowed to a walk.
As he raises his right hand, Van Dyke opens fire on Laquan, causing him to spin round and fall to the ground.
He is seen moving on the ground as more shots are fired.
As Laquan then lies motionless, an officer approaches and kicks the knife away.
More police officers are then seen arriving on the scene.
The prosecution was speeded up in a bid to stay off heightened tensions in Chicago, with authorities fearing similar unrest to that seen in cities such as Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, after young black men were slain by police or died in custody.
Laquan was armed with a knife at the time of the shooting on October 20, 2014, and Van Dyke has said he felt threatened.
At a press conference ahead of the video’s release on Tuesday, city officials appealed for calm as they prepared for protests.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said: “It is fine to be passionate but it essential to remain peaceful.”
Cook County prosecutor Anita Alvarez, who announced the charges, said: "Clearly, this officer went overboard and he abused his authority, and I don't think use of force was necessary.”
Van Dyke was denied bail at a hearing in Chicago's main criminal courthouse. If convicted, he could face 20 years to life in prison.
Following the release of the video, there were mostly peaceful protests on the streets of Chicago.
Hundreds of people gathered after dark a few miles east of the site of the shooting, marching through the streets chanting: "You don't get to kill us and tell us how to feel. You don't get to shoot us and tell us how to heal."
Police said two protesters were arrested after a scuffle in Michigan Avenue.