Carson Calls Police Shooting Of Chicago Teen ‘Despicable’

Carson Calls Police Shooting Of Chicago Teen
Republican presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson appeared in Chicago Thursday to meet with faith leaders. Photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo

CHICAGO, Dec. 11 (UPI) — Republican presidential candidate visited with religious leaders in Chicago, and called the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald “despicable.”

Carson criticized the year-long delay in releasing the video showing Officer Jason Van Dyke firing 16 shots at McDonald as he walked away from police in Oct. 2014.

“It’s hard to come up with a rational reason to do that other than the political,” Carson told The Chicago Tribune, saying he suspected it was part of a coverup.

“I felt it was an abominable act. I think we have a very inappropriate action by a police officer, and it’s despicable and it disturbs me that it was hidden for such a long period of time,” Carson told reporters.

Carson, though, stopped short of calling for Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel to step down.

“I think that’s a decision for the people here in Chicago. He’s their mayor. I do not vote in Chicago, and therefore I’m not going to weigh in on that,” he said.

Emanuel fought the release of the video, saying he did not want to jeopardize an ongoing investigation. A Cook County judge ordered the release of it on Nov. 24.

ABC News reported Carson’s remarks followed a private meeting with Chicago religious leaders.

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