On October 20, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois, Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old boy, was murdered by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke. Police had initially reported that McDonald was behaving erratically while walking down the street, refusing to put down a knife, and that he had lunged at officers. Preliminary internal police reports described the incident similarly, leading to the shooting being judged as justifiable, and Van Dyke not being charged at the time. This was later disproved after a video of the encounter was released, showing that McDonald was walking away from Van Dyke at the time. The video of the shooting was initially withheld from the public for more than a year, a delay which later sparked criticism.
Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder of 17-year-old African American Laquan McDonal
Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder of 17-year-old African American Laquan McDonald in 2014
Historical Significance
On October 20, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois, Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old boy, was murdered by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke.
Events Before
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is t
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is the first time no Englishman has been in the final
English "Roxy Music" singer-songwriter Bryan Ferry [68] divorces second wife English public relations specialist Amanda
English "Roxy Music" singer-songwriter Bryan Ferry [68] divorces second wife English public relations specialist Amanda Sheppard [32] after a year and a half of marriage
Ukrainian Revolution of 2014 begins as protesters, riot police and unknown shooters take part in violent events in the c
Ukrainian Revolution of 2014 begins as protesters, riot police and unknown shooters take part in violent events in the capital, Kiev, culminating after five days in the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 with 239 people on board loses contact and disappears, prompting the most expensive searc
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 with 239 people on board loses contact and disappears, prompting the most expensive search effort in history and one of the most enduring aviation mysteries
Russia formally annexes Crimea amid international condemnation
In February and March 2014, Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine, occupied it, and then annexed it after an illegitimate referendum.
Events After
After floods along the Mississippi River kill 31 people, Exxon Mobil Corp decides to close a plant in flood-threatened M
After floods along the Mississippi River kill 31 people, Exxon Mobil Corp decides to close a plant in flood-threatened Memphis
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announces the recapture of drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, six months after hi
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announces the recapture of drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, six months after his escape from prison
American singer-actress Katharine McPhee (31) divorces producer Nick Cokas (50) after 8 years of marriage
American singer-actress Katharine McPhee (31) divorces producer Nick Cokas (50) after 8 years of marriage
Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill in Havana in the first meeting between the heads of the Catholic and Russian Orthodo
Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill in Havana in the first meeting between the heads of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches in nearly 1,000 years
Barack Obama becomes the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a three-day tour with First Lady Mich
Barack Obama becomes the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a three-day tour with First Lady Michelle
More from the 2010s
New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cov
New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cover from the waist to knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material
10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola
10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is t
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is the first time no Englishman has been in the final
Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone
Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on November 24, 2015?
- On October 20, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois, Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old boy, was murdered by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke. Police had initially reported that McDonald was behaving erratically while walking down the street, refusing to put down a knife, and that he had lunged at officers. Preliminary internal police reports described the incident similarly, leading to the shooting being judged as justifiable, and Van Dyke not being charged at the time.
- Why is Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder of ... significant?
- On October 20, 2014, in Chicago, Illinois, Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old boy, was murdered by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke.