U.S. NewsCrime

Actions

Officer Jason Van Dyke Found Guilty Of Murder In 2014 Shooting

Officer Jason Van Dyke faced a range of charges stemming from the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.
Posted at 3:50 PM, Oct 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-05 15:50:27-04

It's been nearly four years since Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke shot and killed Laquan McDonald. Today, Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery. 

Van Dyke was facing first-degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated battery and one count of official misconduct.

The trial was particularly quick. Jury selection, testimony, opening and closing arguments for this high-profile case all wrapped up in less than a month. 

Van Dyke shot McDonald 16 times on the southwest side of Chicago on Oct. 20, 2014. 

More than a year after the incident, following a legal fight with the city, a Cook County judge forced the Chicago Police Department to release dashcam video showing Van Dyke shooting and killing McDonald.  

The dashcam video of the shooting sparked national outrage and protests across the country. The release of the video was followed by the firing of the Chicago PD superintendent, the ousting of the former Cook County state's attorney and plans for the Chicago PD to adopt a new use-of-force policy.