The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) lauds the justice received for the murder of 17-year-old, Laquan McDonald. Nearly four years after the fatal shooting was caught on video, Van Dyke was found guilty on two counts of second-degree murder, sixteen counts of aggravated battery, and not guilty on one count of official misconduct. Van Dyke shot 16 bullets at Laquan McDonald for 14 seconds. He started shooting only 6 seconds after he arrived on the scene, while McDonald was walking away from him.
AFC stands in solidarity with the community’s demand for police accountability and an end to state sanctioned violence on Black lives in this country. Van Dyke’s shooting and killing of Laquan as he walked away was captured on police dashcam video—sparking protests, civil rights investigations, and a conversation on systematic police violence. We are heartened by the murder charges that were brought and secured by Cook County prosecutors against officer Van Dyke for the murder of Laquan McDonald. However, the facts revealed during the trial were not only deeply disturbing but further highlight Chicago’s need for significant reforms to enhance police accountability and officer training to end state sanctioned violence. AFC looks forward to working with our community, policy makers and other key stakeholders to advance this goal.
