CHICAGO, Aug. 18 (UPI) — Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson on Thursday recommended seven officers be fired for making false statements in the 2014 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
The officers have been stripped of their police powers.
“While I know that this type of action can come with many questions and varying opinions, please know that these decisions were not made lightly,” Johnson wrote to Chicago officers in an email. “Each of these decisions was based on a methodical and substantive review of the facts by both internal and external counsel. Each officer will have their right to due process.”
Johnson’s action comes in response to a recent report by Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson in which he recommends 10 officers be fired. Johnson said one of the officers did not deserve to be fired because there was insufficient evidence. Two other police officers that Ferguson recommended be fired have retired.
“It is my belief that through these challenges we can take the lessons learned to become a better department and in turn, give you additional resources to do your jobs effectively,” Johnson added. “As I have said before, with every decision that I make, I always keep in mind the tremendous sacrifice, bravery and commitment of every officer.”
Earlier this month, a Cook County judge appointed a special prosecutor to take over the case against Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in Laquan’s death. Kane County State’s Attorney Joseph McMahon was given the case on Aug. 4.
In December, Van Dyke pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in Laquan’s death. In November, a dashcam video of the shooting was released, leading to protests. Van Dyke, a 14-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was stripped of his police powers and placed on desk duty.
The FBI previously launched its own investigation into Laquan’s death. The Chicago City Council agreed to a $5 million settlement with Laquan’s family in 2015.
The teen was shot and killed on Oct. 20, 2014, after police were called to a trucking yard to investigate a spate of attempted car burglaries. Police found Laquan about two blocks from the trucking yard with a 3-inch knife in hand.
Officers attempted to surround Laquan, but he slashed one of the tires of a squad car and began jogging away, according to police. As seen in police video — Van Dyke arrived, exited his car with his gun drawn and opened fire. Laquan was shot 16 times.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office found the teen had wounds to his chest, neck, back, arms and right leg. An autopsy later revealed Laquan had PCP in his body. There were several officers on the scene, but only Van Dyke opened fire.
