Federal authorities confirmed Monday they're conducting a criminal investigating into the death of a Chicago teen who was shot numerous times by police last fall. The announcement comes as the Chicago City Council prepares to mull a $5 million payout to settle the case.
Laquan McDonald allegedly lunged at an officer after slashing the tire of at least one squad car during a confrontation with police on Oct. 20, 2014. Police said they wanted to talk to the 17-year-old about attempted car break-ins near 40th Street and Karlov Avenue.
A spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said the autopsy found that McDonald was shot 16 times to the chest, neck, back, arms and right leg. He was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital about an hour after the shooting on Chicago's Southwest Side.
Just one officer of the several who responded fired the shots. That officer, who has not been publicly named, was stripped of his police powers and put on administrative duty pending the outcome of an investigation by the Independent Police Review Authority.
United States Attorney Zachary T. Fardon confirmed the criminal investigation along with FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Holley and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.
The City Council's Finance Committee on Monday agreed to pay $5 million to slain teen's family. The entire council will vote on the settlement Wednesday. In recommending the settlement, Chicago Corporation Counsel Stephen Patton said dashboard camera footage of the shooting prompted the city's decision to settle with the family before a federal lawsuit was filed.
Patton noted several officers followed McDonald for blocks and didn't fire their weapons. He said the shooter was late to the scene.
