Protesters Gather at Chicago Police HQ After Release of Paul O'Neal Shooting Videos

CHICAGO, IL — Protesters mobilized immediately after viewing videos that show Chicago Police officers fatally shooting an 18-year-old car thief on Chicago's South Side last week, demonstrating outside of police headquarters at 35th Street and Michigan Avenue late Friday.

Earlier in the day, protesters shouted down the police superintendent as he tried to speak during a press conference.

Later in the night, another protest unfolded in the South Shore neighborhood where Paul O'Neal was killed. Marchers blocked the streets at 74th and Jeffery late Friday, and for a while they beat on a police vehicle.

The videos of O'Neal's police chase and the aftermath were released Friday, Aug. 5, after O'Neal's mother, relatives and family attorney were invited to watch them by Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. O'Neal's family broke down after seeing the videos, and the attorney, Michael Oppenheimer, called the video “one of the most horrific things I have seen.”

Johnson was unable to speak as protesters shouted at him and at the TV cameras assembled for the press conference. After a few minutes, Johnson gave up and went back inside police headquarters.

A leading Black Lives Matter organizer, Ja'mal Green, was among the activists who viewed the videos at the invitation of the police department. William Calloway was also invited and watched the videos.

Protesters gathered at Chicago Police Headquarters Friday afternoon.

Following the afternoon protest, word spread on social media of another gathering at night at the police headquarters building. The protests began at around 8:30 p.m.

Demonstrators were on their backs on the ground chanting "CPD! KKK! How many Pauls will you kill today?"

Police barricaded the area with bicycles. Protesters shouted in their faces.