I was born and raised in Chicago. I'm not one for knee jerk reactions. As I watch the film of the 17 year old Laquan McDonald walking shirtless down the center lane of a busy Chicago street at night, something is obviously wrong with him. Soon several blue and white police vehicles appear, lights flashing. Instead of stopping, turning, running, or trying to hide, the young man continues to walk- not at any vehicle, just walking. Then, he pulls out a small knife. One police vehicle pulls up, the officer gets out gun drawn and shoots Laquan twice, dropping him to the ground.

And here is the hard part. Here is the inhuman part.

While Laquan lies motionless on the ground, on his side, the policeman proceeds to shoot him 14 additional times. This black body lurches as the impact from the bullets strike. Tears leap from my eyes and the only words I can say are, "They shot him like a dog in the street." But we know dogs are treated better than this.

The fact is, only one cop shoots him. The others do their job, which is to serve and protect. Officer Jason Van Dyke, who has 15 complaints against him; who has settled a $350,000 lawsuit for excessive force, is still allowed to prowl the streets of Chicago armed, dangerous, and with authority to use lethal force. This incident happened over a year ago. It is not until yesterday action is taken against this dirty cop as the video is made public. Everyone from city hall to the police hierarchy is to blame for this incident; the killing of an imperfect black youth.

I'm not one for knee jerk reactions but I can't stop hurting this morning. I hurt for my city where 300 people have been shot by policemen over the past 5 years, including 70 killed. I hurt for black young men who make up the majority of the 2,712 people who are victims of gun violence this year in Chicago.

My sweet home, Chicago has become so filled with gun violence you cannot trust your neighbor or the police whom you call for help.

And yet there are great people in Chicago. Many wonderful people. And there are awesome police. Many brave police who put their lives on the line every day, serve the community, and never discharge their weapon.

I don't have solutions this morning. I do know that congregations viewing the video "Trigger: The Ripple Effects of Gun Violence," and "The Illusion of Race" is a beginning for a presbytery wide action. Several congregations are having classes and conversations on race as well. I would like for us to support the second documentary film on gun violence being produced by the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance team. Finally, we have been invited to be part of an effective nationwide group against non-violence: Heeding God's Call to Prevent Gun Violence.

I covet your prayers for Chicago. I pray for a rationale solution to gun violence; a plague that infests Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Twin Cities. I am open to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

Rev. Craig M. Howard

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