Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago cop who shot and killed Laquan McDonald in 2014, was sentenced Friday to six years and nine months in prison.
The sentencing came down just days after three of Van Dyke’s colleagues were found not guilty of falsifying reports and conspiring to cover up the death of McDonald, who had been shot sixteen times by Van Dyke.
Van Dyke, who is white, fatally shot McDonald after he spotted the17-year-old teen walking down the street with a small knife in his hand. The former police officer was convicted of second-degree murder charges last October, and he is still facing more time for 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.
“This is a significant sentence,” Joe McMahon said. “I and this team are satisfied we achieved our goal of justice and holding Jason Van Dyke accountable for his actions.”
