New dashcam video shows SUV-driving cop chasing down fleeing Laquan seconds before he shot him 16 times - as Obama says he's 'disturbed' by the killing and Chicago is rocked by protests again

  • New dashcam footage shows Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke chasing Laquan McDonald before the fatal shooting
  • Video from Van Dyke's police car shows McDonald running through a Burger King parking lot
  • McDonald, 17, appears to be carrying a small knife - 30 seconds later he was shot dead by Van Dyke 
  • President Obama said he was 'deeply disturbed' by the video, while applauding the 'peaceful protests' in Chicago 
  • Van Dyke is being held in protective custody in a medical facility in Cook County Jail segregated from other inmates
  • It has emerged that Van Dyke was subject to 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, an unusually high number. At least one of those complainants was later awarded $350k in a lawsuit 
  • In the weeks before his death, McDonald had enrolled in an alternative school and was trying to turn his life around
  • He grew up without a father and spent his childhood and adolescence being bounced around between foster families and various relatives, court records show  

A new dashcam video shows Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke in pursuit of Laquan McDonald for 30 seconds before he fatally shot the teenager.

The footage is taken from the white officer's police car as he pulled through a Burger King parking lot and McDonald, 17, bounded out in front of him before running down the road. It appears he is carrying a knife in his hand at the time. 

Soon after this, Van Dyke emptied an entire magazine into the young man with most of the 16 shots fired at point-blank range as he lay motionless on the ground. He was charged with first-degree murder on Monday. 

It has also emerged that Van Dyke was the subject of 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, including allegations that he used racial epithets and excessive force, police and court records show.

Complaints against police are not uncommon. But the number filed against Van Dyke was high compared with other officers. At least one person he arrested was later awarded $350,000 in damages in a lawsuit. 

Just revealed: New dashcam footage shows Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke in pursuit of Laquan McDonald prior to shooting the teenager

Just revealed: New dashcam footage shows Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke in pursuit of Laquan McDonald prior to shooting the teenager

Video from Van Dyke's police vehicle shows McDonald running out in front of him as he drove through a Burger King parking lot

Video from Van Dyke's police vehicle shows McDonald running out in front of him as he drove through a Burger King parking lot

Earlier dashcam footage showed the moment Jason Van Dyke, circled, pointed his weapon at Laquan McDonald, right  

Earlier dashcam footage showed the moment Jason Van Dyke, circled, pointed his weapon at Laquan McDonald, right  

Moments later, McDonald, circled, was lying mortally wounded on the floor as Van Dyke shot up up to 16 times with his service weapon

Moments later, McDonald, circled, was lying mortally wounded on the floor as Van Dyke shot up up to 16 times with his service weapon

Jason Van Dyke
Laquan McDonald

Unbelievable: Van Dyke (left) shot McDonald (right) 16 times, continuing to fire even as he lay motionless on the ground

President Obama tweeted on Wednesday that he was 'deeply disturbed' by footage of the shooting

President Obama tweeted on Wednesday that he was 'deeply disturbed' by footage of the shooting

Detained: Two Chicago police officers take a man into custody during the march on Wednesday night

Detained: Two Chicago police officers take a man into custody during the march on Wednesday night

Footage from another dashcam that was also obtained by ABC 7 shows McDonald in the middle of the road and struggling to stay alive after being shot as paramedics arrive on the scene.

None of the officers are near the body at that time or attempting to help the young man.

Meanwhile, it has reported that in the final weeks before his death, McDonald, who had a rough childhood spent being bounced around between foster families and various relatives, had been working to turn his life around.

Court records obtained by the Chicago Tribune indicate that McDonald's father left the family when he was a baby and played no role in his life.

When he was 3 years old, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services took Laquan into protective custody after his mother was accused of neglecting him.

After two months spent in foster care, Laquan went to live with a relative before he was finally returned into his mother’s home in 2002.

But their reunion proved short-lived, as he was back in foster care about a year later after his mother's boyfriend beat him, records state.

In 2003, Laquan was paced in the care of his great-grandmother, who ultimately assumed the role of his legal guardian.

When the woman passed away in 2013, Laquan went to live with an uncle.

As a teenager, McDonald was arrested numerous times and spent four months in juvenile detention in early 2014.

Then last September, a month before he was shot to death 16 times by a police officer, Laquan enrolled in Sullivan House Alternative School.

Ashley Beverly, one of his teachers, told the Chicago Tribune earlier this year that Laquan loved being at the school, was very engaged and would show up in class early.

‘He was forming really good relationships with a lot of the teachers in the class,’ Beverly said.

The teacher also recalled that Laquan enjoyed dancing and rapping, and was a funny kid. 

On Wednesday, small groups of demonstrators took to the streets of Chicago to protest the death of McDonald, and they urged supporters to join them in trying to shut down Chicago's famous Michigan Avenue shopping district during the Black Friday shopping bonanza. 

The group held banners showing photos of other black people fatally shot by police in Chicago and elsewhere. Several protesters said they were parents of black men killed by Chicago officers. 

'You cannot kill our children and expect us to be quiet any longer,' protester Quovadis Green said. 

'It is unacceptable.'  

Chicago police say that four people were arrested overnight, including three local residents charged with misdemeanor counts of resisting a police officer and one woman from Cedar Lake, Indiana, who was charged with a misdemeanor of damage to public property.

A total of eight people have been arrested during two days of marches and rallies around the city. 

Protesters demonstrate in response to the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald in Chicago on Wednesday night

Protesters are urging supporters to join them in trying to shut down Chicago's Michigan Avenue shopping district during Black Friday

Protesters are urging supporters to join them in trying to shut down Chicago's Michigan Avenue shopping district during Black Friday

Protesters wants the Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago Police Department and its history of covering up bad behavior

Protesters wants the Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago Police Department and its history of covering up bad behavior

President Obama also commented on the incident on Wednesday, writing on Facebook; 'Like many Americans, I was deeply disturbed by the footage of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. 

'This Thanksgiving, I ask everybody to keep those who’ve suffered tragic loss in our thoughts and prayers, and to be thankful for the overwhelming majority of men and women in uniform who protect our communities with honor. 

'And I’m personally grateful to the people of my hometown for keeping protests peaceful.'

Van Dyke, who has been charged with first degree murder, was denied bail when he appeared in court earlier this week. 

He is facing 20 years to life in prison if he is found guilty of first degree murder. 

Van Dyke is being held without bail in protective custody in a hospital unit in Cook County jail, segregated from other inmates. 

His lawyer Daniel Herbert told CNN that the dashcam footage was not proof of his client's guilt. 'Video by its nature is two dimensional. It distorts images.' 

Mr Herbert told CNN that his client was 'truly was in fear for his life as well as the lives of his fellow police officers'. 

Van Dyke's wife Tiffany had established a Go Fund Me page to help pay for her husband's defence and raised some $10,000 in a few hours, but the page was later removed and the donations returned.  

Critics of the police department and prosecutors have questioned why it took investigators 13 months to bring charges against Van Dyke and to release police video from the case.

A group of between 100 and 200 protesters began a march at the start of the evening rush-hour in Chicago's busy downtown area on Wednesday, and were still on the streets more than five hours later despite the onset of rain.

Additional rallies were planned for Chicago's annual Thanksgiving Day parade later today and another for Friday.  

A protester marches during a demonstration for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald early Wednesday 

A protester marches during a demonstration for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald early Wednesday 

Together: Protesters carry a sign for the second night that spells out McDonald's first name

Together: Protesters carry a sign for the second night that spells out McDonald's first name

Activist Mark Carter called on people to 'rise up' and shut down the Magnificent Mile shopping area on Friday. 

He said protesters also planned to target the Board of Trade and other landmarks in the coming days.

Carter and others want the Department of Justice to investigate the Chicago Police Department and its history of covering up bad behavior.

The Urban League of Chicago joined in the call for a federal investigation, alleging a pattern of 'discriminatory harassment' against black people.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson said other officers involved in McDonald's death should be fired or at least suspended. 

He also wants a special prosecutor appointed to the case, complaining that Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez took too long to bring a murder charge in the shooting, which happened more than a year ago.

Protesters are also planning to disrupt Chicago's annual Thanksgiving celebration as well as the Black Friday shopping extravaganza  

Protesters are also planning to disrupt Chicago's annual Thanksgiving celebration as well as the Black Friday shopping extravaganza  

Angry: Some protesters also tried to storm Trump Towers in Chicago at one point, screaming 'F*** Donald Trump'

Angry: Some protesters also tried to storm Trump Towers in Chicago at one point, screaming 'F*** Donald Trump'

Calm: Most of the protesters remained peaceful however throughout the entire night and into the early hours of Thursday

Being heard: Many were heard chanting on Wednesday 'The whole damn system is guilty.' Others chanted 'Defund the police'

Being heard: Many were heard chanting on Wednesday 'The whole damn system is guilty.' Others chanted 'Defund the police'

Gathering strength: The same number of protesters if not more were out in the city than had been the previous night

Gathering strength: The same number of protesters if not more were out in the city than had been the previous night

On Wednesday protesters began to get a bit more confrontational than the previous night, and in one instance ripped all the lights off the city's Christmas tree in Millennium Park.

Mayor Emanuel had been at the lighting of the tree the previous night.

Some protesters also tried to storm Trump Towers in Chicago at one point, screaming 'F*** Donald Trump,' though the doors to the building were closed by the visibly nervous doormen before there was any incident.

Most of the protesters remained peaceful however, and one report of individuals overturning recycling bins as they marched noted that individuals behind them were then picking up what was dumped and putting the bins back in their place.

WGN reports that there were four arrests before midnight and that some individuals were seen pulling down barricades. 

Many were heard chanting on Wednesday 'The whole damn system is guilty.' Others chanted 'Defund the police.'

Lamon Reccord speaks in front of photos of alleged victims of police shootings during a rally held by the Revolutionary Communist Party

Lamon Reccord speaks in front of photos of alleged victims of police shootings during a rally held by the Revolutionary Communist Party

In his face: Lamon Reccord stares and yells at a Chicago police officer 'Shoot me 16 times' on Wednesday

In his face: Lamon Reccord stares and yells at a Chicago police officer 'Shoot me 16 times' on Wednesday

Again: Reccord yells at another Chicago police officer 'Shoot me 16 times' as he and others march through Chicago's Loop

Again: Reccord yells at another Chicago police officer 'Shoot me 16 times' as he and others march through Chicago's Loop

Not touching: Reccord has become the most recognizable face of the movement and is often spotted staring down police

Not touching: Reccord has become the most recognizable face of the movement and is often spotted staring down police

Intense: Reccord stares at a Chicago police officer as he and others march through Chicago's Loop

Intense: Reccord stares at a Chicago police officer as he and others march through Chicago's Loop

Demonstrators confront police during a protest over the death of Laquan McDonald on November 25, 2015 in Chicago

Demonstrators confront police during a protest over the death of Laquan McDonald on November 25, 2015 in Chicago

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton weighed in on the video Wednesday, saying McDonald's family and Chicago residents 'deserve justice and accountability.'

Clinton, who made the comments Wednesday in an emailed statement, added that police officers across the country are doing their duty honorably 'without resorting to unnecessary force.'

One of Clinton's rivals, Sen. Bernie Sanders, said in his own statement that all Americans 'should be sickened' by the video.

For months, Chicago leaders had feared that the release of the video could provoke the kind of turmoil that rocked cities such as Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, after young black men were slain by police or died in police custody. 

Van Dyke was the subject of 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, including allegations that he used racial epithets and excessive force, police and court records show.

Complaints against police are not uncommon. But the number filed against Van Dyke was high compared with other officers. 

Protesters clash with police officers on bikes on the streets of Chicago following the release of a video showing the killing of 17-year-old McDonald

Protesters clash with police officers on bikes on the streets of Chicago following the release of a video showing the killing of 17-year-old McDonald

Sit-in: Activists block a Chicago street during an overnight protest against police brutality 

Sit-in: Activists block a Chicago street during an overnight protest against police brutality 

Strong message: A protester in a Guy Fawkes mask holds up a sign calling for a 'revolt'  

Strong message: A protester in a Guy Fawkes mask holds up a sign calling for a 'revolt'  

Police officers order protesters to move back during a street demonstration November 25

Police officers order protesters to move back during a street demonstration November 25

Protesters drag barricades onto Michigan Avenue to disrupt traffic during a protest in response to the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald

Protesters drag barricades onto Michigan Avenue to disrupt traffic during a protest in response to the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald

A protester is detained by police and led away in handcuffs during a demonstration in Chicago

A protester is detained by police and led away in handcuffs during a demonstration in Chicago

At least one person he arrested was later awarded $350,000 in damages in a lawsuit.

Van Dyke's lawyer, Daniel Herbert, did not return a message left Wednesday by The Associated Press.

Also Wednesday, a Cook County judge dismissed a charge against a protester accused of hitting a police officer in the hours after the video was made public.

Judge Peggy Chiampas said the state's attorney's office recommended dropping the charge against 22-year-old Malcolm London and told London he was free to go.

London, who was wearing a T-shirt with the phrase 'Unapologetically black' on it, walked outside the courthouse to loud cheers.

Prosecutors did not explain why they sought to dismiss the charge. London was among five people arrested on charges that included weapons possession and resisting arrest.

Meanwhile in Minneapolis, hundreds of people filled a church to pay their respects to a man whose death in an unrelated confrontation with police sparked more than a week of ongoing protests. A picture of a smiling Jamar Clark adorned the program for his funeral.

Being heard: Dontreal Widow holds up a poster with the photo of 17 year-old Laquan McDonald and taunts Chicago police

Being heard: Dontreal Widow holds up a poster with the photo of 17 year-old Laquan McDonald and taunts Chicago police

Melee: Protesters scuffle with Chicago police while trying to enter an expressway in the early hours of Wednesday

Melee: Protesters scuffle with Chicago police while trying to enter an expressway in the early hours of Wednesday

Strength in numbers: Demonstrators chant as they walk the streets during protests in Chicago on Tuesday night

Strength in numbers: Demonstrators chant as they walk the streets during protests in Chicago on Tuesday night

Fears: For months, Chicago leaders had feared that the release of the video could provoke the kind of turmoil that rocked cities such as Baltimore and Ferguson

Fears: For months, Chicago leaders had feared that the release of the video could provoke the kind of turmoil that rocked cities such as Baltimore and Ferguson

Problem: Van Dyke was the subject of 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, including allegations that he used racial epithets and excessive force, police and court records show

Problem: Van Dyke was the subject of 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, including allegations that he used racial epithets and excessive force, police and court records show

The 40 seconds of dashcam video released Tuesday shows McDonald, who was armed with a small knife, walking away from two officers who have their guns drawn.

He was reportedly told to drop the knife, but there is no sound on the video to verify the claim. McDonald is seen spinning around and falling to the ground as Van Dyke opens fire at point-blank range.

The officer continues to shoot even as the teenager falls to the ground. Smoke is later seen rising from his lifeless body, apparently from shots fired by Van Dyke. An autopsy report showed McDonald was shot at least twice in the back. It also revealed there was PCP in his system when he died.

The footage later shows Van Dyke walking over and kicking the knife out of the teenager's lifeless hand. There are reports that it was 3in long.

Eight police officers were on the scene after reports of someone stealing car stereos and trying to break into a trucking yard with a knife. Police officers also claimed McDonald had threatened them with the knife and slashed at the tires and windshield of a patrol car.

Van Dyke had been on the scene for less than 30 seconds after he opened fire according to reports, and was the only person to shoot his weapon, emptying his 9 mm pistol and even going to reload.

The video was made public despite attempts by both police and Chicago city officials to block its release. It has also been widely reported that police deleted footage of the shooting from a nearby Burger King's surveillance camera.

Burger King District manager Jay Darshane even admitted that police had tampered with their video.

Getting ready: Chicago police officers line up outside the District 1 central headquarters at 17th and State streets

Getting ready: Chicago police officers line up outside the District 1 central headquarters at 17th and State streets

Angry: Demonstrators confront police during a protest on Tuesday night after the video was released

Angry: Demonstrators confront police during a protest on Tuesday night after the video was released

Holding hands: Protesters shut down a street during a protest for  McDonald early Wednesday

Holding hands: Protesters shut down a street during a protest for McDonald early Wednesday

Walking as one: More protesters are expected to turn out Wednesday after Tuesday's demonstrations went into the early hours

Walking as one: More protesters are expected to turn out Wednesday after Tuesday's demonstrations went into the early hours

Protesters shut down a street during a protest for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on Tuesday night

Protesters shut down a street during a protest for 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on Tuesday night

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged for peaceful protest in the wake of the release of the footage. The plea was echoed by attorneys for the McDonald family, who called for 'calm in Chicago'.

'No one understands the anger more than us, but if you choose to speak out, we urge you to be peaceful. Don't resort to violence in Laquan's name. Let his legacy be better than that,' they said in a statement.

The New York Times obtained a copy of some of the complaints that have been filed against Van Dyke over the years, including that he used racial slurs, choked a suspect and once pointed a gun at a suspect for no reason.

He was never disciplined for any of these complaints, or for an incident in 2007 when a jury awarded a man $350,000 that the city was forced to pay after Van Dyke was accused of using excessive force on the man while handcuffing him.

On Tuesday morning his wife Tiffany set up a Go Fund me page hoping to raise $80,000 for her husband's defense fund.

'He is a highly decorated and respected officer,' she wrote of her husband on the page.

'He was in a shooting that has been covered extensively by the media and we ask for your patience for all the facts to come out in trial. We want him to be home with his family as we go through this judicial process. My family is in need of your help very quickly.

'My husband is having a bond hearing and if we do not raise the money he will be detained on 11/24/15. With the holidays approaching our husband and father needs to be home with his family.'

Within hours the page had managed to raise over $10,000 before it was taken down by the site.

A spokesperson said all money had been refunded as the site prohibits any and all fundraising for the 'defense of anyone alleged to be involved in criminal activity.'  

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