Unrest in Chicago after police shooting video released
Racial tensions are soaring in Chicago as officials released a graphic video of a police officer shooting a black teen 16 times, shortly after he was charged for the death.
The "chilling" video is the latest in a string of police shootings caught on camera that have sparked mass - and sometimes violent - protests and engulfed the United States in a debate over racism and the use of deadly force by police.
Dozens of demonstrators marched through the city's busy streets, but there were only small scuffles with law enforcement and three arrests reported by the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The dashcam video shows officer Jason Van Dyke open fire on 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
Shot from an approaching police vehicle, it shows McDonald run down the middle of the street towards a cruiser, hitch up his pants and then start to walk away from Van Dyke and his partner.
His body then spins and strikes the pavement. McDonald lifts his head, moves an arm and then a cloud from another gunshot rises up from his chest as he lays in a fetal position.
An officer enters the frame for just long enough to kick a knife away from his prone hand.
The video below has been released by Chicago police on the incident. WARNING: Graphic content.
Prosecutors say Van Dyke opened fire just 30 seconds after his cruiser pulled up to the scene and six seconds after stepping out of it.
State's Attorney Anita Alvarez has described the incident as 'graphic, violent and chilling' after Van Dyke was charged with first degree murder.
"To watch a 17-year-old young man die in such a violent manner is deeply disturbing and I have absolutely no doubt this video will tear at the hearts of all Chicagoans."
McDonald - who was holding a knife when he was shot and had earlier slashed the tires of a police cruiser - made no threatening gestures to justify the use of deadly force, Alvarez said.
It was the first time a Chicago police officer has been charged with first-degree murder for an on-duty fatality in more than 30 years, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The city approved a $5 million settlement for McDonald's family in April.
Police had initially said McDonald was high on PCP, acting erratically and lunged at the officers with a knife.