Riot fears in Chicago as video of fatal police shooting of black teenager to be released

Chicago city officials, police and community activists were carefully planning for the release in the coming days of a video of an October 2014 fatal police shooting of a black teenager that is said to be graphic and disturbing.

Community outreach, communications and legal strategy were being planned to try to prevent violent protests when the video is released, according to lawyers, activists and officials.

Freelance journalist Brandon Smith sued the police after they denied his request for the video under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, and a judge decided in Smith’s favour on Thursday, giving the city until November 25 to release it.