Officer charged in Chicago shooting pleads not guilty

by Jesse Byrnes - 12/29/15 11:47 AM ET

The Chicago police officer who fired 16 rounds at 17-year-old Laquan McDonald last year pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder charges.

Officer Jason Van Dyke faces six counts of first-degree murder and one count of official misconduct in the October 2014 death of McDonald. His next hearing is slated for Jan. 29.

{mosads}Graphic video of the shooting released last month led to intense scrutiny of officials in Chicago, with calls for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s resignation continuing weeks later.

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton has added his name to those calling for Emanuel to step down, saying Monday that “he’s gone beyond the point where he can govern with the trust of the people.”

Dashboard camera footage of the incident released a year later shows police surrounding McDonald, who had a knife but was more than 10 feet away from officers when Van Dyke opened fire.

Federal authorities have opened an investigation into the police department’s use of force.

Tags Jason Van Dyke Laquan McDonald Police shootings Rahm Emanuel use of force