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Laquan McDonald briefing: The videos, the police reports

By  Sun-Times staff
   
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This image was taken from a recording made by a police vehicle dashboard camera. It was released by the Chicago Police Department on November 24, 2015. It shows Laquan McDonald just before he was shot by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke on October 20, 2014. | Photo by Chicago Police Department, distributed by Getty Images

The fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke has set off a wave of protests, criminal charges, investigations, accusations and more.

It started in October 2014, when McDonald was shot near 41st and Pulaski.

A recording of the shooting made by a dashboard camera in a Chicago Police Department squad car existed, and was volatile enough that after viewing it, city officials immediately agreed to a $5 million settlement with McDonald’s family.

For months, the city fought the release of the video. Then, in the past few weeks, events have moved rapidly.

A judge ordered the release of the video. Murder charges were filed against Van Dyke. Protesters took to the streets. Mayor Rahm Emanuel fired Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy and replaced the head of the Independent Police Review Authority. There were multiple calls for the federal government to investigate the CPD, calls that were finally answered with the announcement by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch of just such a probe.

Federal officials started meeting with top brass of the CPD on Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Here are some of the key videos and documents in the case.

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 1

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 2

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 3

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 4

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 5

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 6

Laquan McDonald police reports, Part 7

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