Chicago police officer charged with murder

Chicago (CNN)— The Chicago police officer who
fatally shot black teenager Laquan McDonald has
been charged with first-degree murder, a major turn
that comes as many in the city brace for potential
unrest.
Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez
announced that the officer, Jason Van Dyke, turned
himself in to authorities Tuesday.
"It is my determination that this defendant's actions
-- of shooting Laquan McDonald when he did not
pose an immediate threat of great bodily harm or
death, and his subsequent actions of shooting
Laquan McDonald while he lay on the ground after
previously being struck by gunfire --- were not
justified and they were not a proper use of deadly
force by this police officer," she told reporters.
Until Tuesday, Van Dyke still worked for the police
department in a "limited duty position" as
investigators probed the October 20, 2014, death.
The announcement of charges happened one day
before the city's deadline to release video that
shows the shooting. Until last week, officials had
resisted such a release, fearing it could jeopardize
investigations. Others said it could spur major
protests in reaction to footage that even Van Dyke's
attorney admits is "graphic, disturbing and difficult
to watch."