Skip to main content
Thursday, November 5, 2026Nov 5
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

This story is free to read.

Chicago officials release reports in police shooting of teen

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2014 frame from dash-cam video provided by the Chicago Police Department, Laquan McDonald, right, walks down the street moments before being shot by officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago. Amid an outcry after the city waited more than a year to release dash-cam footage of Officer Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced this week that he was setting up a special task force to examine, among other things, the city’s video-release policy. (Chicago Police Department via AP, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2014 frame from dash-cam video provided by the Chicago Police Department, Laquan McDonald, right, walks down the street moments before being shot by officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago. Amid an outcry after the city waited more than a year to release dash-cam footage of Officer Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced this week that he was setting up a special task force to examine, among other things, the city’s video-release policy. (Chicago Police Department via AP, File) FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2014 frame from dash-cam video provided by the Chicago Police Department, Laquan McDonald, right, walks down the street moments before being shot by officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago. Amid an outcry after the city waited more than a year to release dash-cam footage of Officer Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced this week that he was setting up a special task force to examine, among other things, the city’s video-release policy. (Chicago Police Department via AP, File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago officials have released police reports in the shooting death of a black teenager by a white police officer revealing a narrative that contradicts what video footage depicts.

The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/1TqYWPD ) reports hundreds of pages released late Friday and show at least five officers saying Laquan McDonald moved toward officers. However, squad car video shows McDonald veering away from officers before he was shot 16 times by officer Jason Van Dyke.

One report claims McDonald advanced toward officers swinging his knife in an “aggressive, exaggerated manner.” The statements led police supervisors to rule McDonald’s death a justifiable homicide.

Van Dyke has been charged with murder. Federal authorities are also investigating.

Messages left for police, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office and the state’s attorney weren’t immediately returned late Friday.