The Brief
- Ten years ago, the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer ignited mass protests and demands for police accountability.
- Since McDonald’s death, Chicago has implemented several reforms, including the creation of a civilian oversight body and a policy mandating the release of footage of police-involved incidents within 60 days.
- Mayor Brandon Johnson acknowledged the progress made in police reform but also recognized the ongoing challenges and the need for continued efforts to ensure equitable community safety.
CHICAGO – Sunday marked 10 years since a Chicago teenager was shot and killed by a police officer, sparking mass protests and prompting significant reforms within the city’s police department.
Laquan McDonald, 17, was fatally shot 16 times by former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke on Oct. 20, 2014. Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and served half of his 81-month sentence before being released.
McDonald’s death led to weeks of protests and calls for police reform. In 2019, the city entered into a consent decree, a court-ordered agreement that mandated reforms to ensure the police department performs constitutional and effective policing.…