Policeman who shot an African American in Chicago charged with murder

As far as we know, Jason Van Dyke fired 16 shots at the knife-armed 17-year-old Lacuane Macdonald. Photo: Cook County Prosecutor’s Office

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with the murder of black American Lacuane Macdonald, 20 committed last October.

According to CNN, it is a charge of premeditated murder with aggravating circumstances.

Until Tuesday, Van Dyke continued to work at the police station, but as reported, his duties were limited.

Chicago Mayor Ram Emanuel met with activists on Tuesday demanding to bring charges against the policeman, calling for a peaceful protest.

However, the District Attorney Cook announced that the policeman himself had surrendered.

The court considering the case of the death of MacDonald, demanded earlier that the police distribute a video depicting the murder that took place in October of 2014. The deadline for this will expire on Wednesday.

Officials argued that publishing a video could jeopardize the investigation. Others believe that this can lead to riots.

According to the authorities, 17-year-old MacDonald was armed with a knife when he was met by Van Dyke. After the teenager did not respond to the demands of the policeman to throw the knife to the ground, Van Dyke opened fire. About this edition Chicago Tribune said police lawyer Daniel Herbert.

As far as is known, Van Dyke fired 16 shots at McDonald. The policeman claims that he was forced to open fire, as the teenager threatened him with a knife.

"He is afraid to death, but he is even more afraid for his wife and two children," said his lawyer. “He is convinced that his actions were justified.”

In recent years, a large number of black Americans died at the hands of police officers in the United States. Unrest in American society caused, among others, the death of Eric Garner, strangled during detention in New York, and Michael Brown, shot by a policeman in FergusonMissouri.