In final weeks, Laquan McDonald tried to turn around troubled life

A prayer vigil is held in front of the Chicago Police Department headquarters in memory of Laquan McDonald and to call for a federal investigation into the case, Nov. 30, 2015.

Activist Jedidiah Brown, left, attempts to chain the doors shut at the Chicago Police Department headquarters after a vigil in memory of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 30, 2015.

A prayer vigil is held in front of the Chicago Police Department headquarters in memory of Laquan McDonald and to call for a federal investigation into the case, Nov. 30, 2015.

Chicago police monitor a prayer vigil in front of the Chicago Police Department headquarters in memory of Laquan McDonald and to call for a federal investigation into the case, Nov. 30, 2015.

Protesters talk with a Chicago police officer in downtown Chicago on Nov. 30, 2015, as they kneel and block the northbound lanes of LaSalle Street in front of City Hall in Chicago, during a march protesting the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters move a casket through downtown Chicago as they march in honor of fatal shooting victim Laquan McDonald on Nov. 30, 2015.

Protesters kneel on the street in downtown Chicago on Nov. 30, 2015, as they protest the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters march near 63rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue on Nov. 28, 2015, in response to the release of dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters march near 63rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue on Nov. 28, 2015, to express outrage over the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke. Dash-cam video showing the October 2014 shooting was released during Thanksgiving week.

Community activist James Tiller, left, and protesters carry a coffin toward City Hall on Nov. 28, 2015, to decry the police killing of Laquan McDonald.

A protester is detained near Chicago and Michigan avenues on Nov. 28, 2015, in Chicago.

Protesters rally near Chicago and Michigan avenues on Nov. 28, 2015, in Chicago.

A protester is detained near the Chicago and Michigan avenues on Nov. 28, 2015, in Chicago.

A Chicago police officer watches protesters near the intersection of Chicago and North Michigan avenues on Nov. 28 2015.

A Chicago police officer stands next to a protester while he covers his face in a Starbucks on East Delaware Street in Chicago on Nov. 28, 2015.

Protesters lock arms at State and Randolph streets Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Police and protesters tussle on Elm Street near State Street on Nov. 25, 2015.

A motorist on Rush Street encourages protesters rallying against the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Protesters block the Michigan Avenue Bridge while protesting the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Protesters form a line to prevent police from advancing at a protest against the police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Protesters rally down North Michigan Avenue protesting the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Diners in the West Loop watch protesters ralling against the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Chicago police officers block protesters at Harrison and State streets on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

A protester argues with the police during a blockade of Chicago and Michigan avenues at a protest against the police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Police try to keep a police suporter away from the crowd as protesters block the intersection of Franklin and Wacker protesting the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

People block the street near Chicago and Michigan avenues in protest against the police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Protesters move barricades near Michigan Avenue on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Protesters block the on ramp to the expressways on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

A protester is detained ainthe 500 block of West Harrison Street on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Protesters block the Michigan Avenue Bridge while protesting the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Staff and guests at the Trump hotel watch as protesters rally against the Chicago Police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Protesters near State and Lake streets march against the Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

Demonstrators near the Trump International Hotel & Tower in protest aganst the Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald Nov. 25, 2015.

Protesters near State and Lake streets marching against the Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald on Nov. 25, 2015.

A protester confronts a Chicago police officer on Michigan Avenue during the second day of protests Nov. 25, 2015, following the release of a dash-cam video showing 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Eugene Tucker and other protesters march down Michigan Avenue on Nov. 25, 2015, to express outrage over the Chicago police shooting of Laquan McDonald.

Protesters gather at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Protesters gather at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Lamon Reccord, left, confronts a Chicago police sergeant during a protest march near State and Randolph streets on Nov. 25, 2015.

Onlookers gather at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Protester Eugene Tucker holds a banner while marching on West Randolph Street on Nov. 25, 2015, in Chicago.

Chicago police officers walk behind protesters marching south on North Michigan Avenue on Nov. 25, 2015.

People participate in a prayer vigil at 41st Street and Pulaski Road on Nov. 25, 2015, where Laquan McDonald was shot and killed by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke in October 2014.

People participate in a prayer vigil Nov. 25, 2015, near where Laquan McDonald was fatally shot by a Chicago police officer in October 2014.

Teresa Berumen prays Nov. 25, 2015, during a vigil related to the Laquan McDonald shooting in Chicago.

Residents pray Nov. 25, 2015, at 41st Street and Pulaski Road near where Laquan McDonald was killed by a Chicago police officer in October 2014.

Activist William Calloway, center, joins others in prayer at Chicago City Hall on Nov. 25, 2015. Joining Calloway is Dorothy Holmes, second from right, the mother of Ronald Johnson, who was shot and killed by Chicago police in 2014.

Activist Lamon Reccord gets his message across about the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald at Chicago City Hall on Nov. 25, 2015. Several activists asked for accountability in the police shooting deaths of McDonald and other black men.

Supporters of Malcolm London who spent the night in jail accused of punching a Chicago cop Tuesday night, sing and chant for his release outside Leighton Cook County Jail, Nov., 25, 2015.

21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins joins members of city hall’s Black Caucus on Nov. 25, 2015 to call for accountability in the Laquan McDonald shooting as well as peace in the streets.

Gloria Pinex, the mother of Darius Pinex who was shot and killed by Chicago police in January 2011, joins other protesters at Chicago’s City Hall on Nov. 25, 2015, to ask for accountability in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

Brandon Smith, center, the journalist whose FOIA for dash-cam video opened a huge investigation into the police shooting of Laquan McDonald, joins Dorothy Holmes, left, mother of Ronald Johnson (also killed by police last year) at a press conference Nov. 25, 2015 at Chicago’s City Hall, asking for accountability in the deaths of McDonald and Johnson.

Protesters march along South Michigan Avenue on Nov. 24 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A protester confronts a Chicago police officer on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A person takes a photo of people protesting the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke during marches in Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015. Each illuminated letter was held by a different person to spell Laquan’s name.

Protesters confront Chicago police near Congress Parkway after activists attempted to enter the Eisenhower Expressway following the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A protester confronts an Illinois State Police officer on Congress Parkway on Nov. 24, 2015, after activists attempted to enter the Eisenhower Expressway following the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters block traffic at State Street and Congress Parkway after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Illinois State Police officers confront protesters on Congress Parkway on Nov. 24, 2015, after demonstrators attempted to enter the Eisenhower Expressway following the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters holding signs that spell out “Laquan” march in Chicago after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by city police Officer Jason Van Dyke on Nov. 24 2015.

Protesters confront Chicago police near Congress Parkway on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A protester is confronted by a Chicago police officer near Congress Parkway on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A demonstrator shouts at a Chicago police officer as the officer video-records him during a protest of the Chicago Police Department at Monroe Street and Michigan Avenue on Nov. 24, 2015.

Onlookers watch the crowd near Monroe Street and Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015, as tensions rose between Chicago police and people protesting the shooting death of Laquan McDonald by city police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A protester faces Illinois State Police troopers on Congress Parkway on Nov. 25, 2015, after demonstrators attempted to enter the Eisenhower Expressway following the release of a dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters confront Chicago police officers near Congress Parkway after attempting to enter the Eisenhower Expressway following the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being shot and killed by a police officer.

Protesters including the Rev. Michael Pfleger, center, walk south on State Street in Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of the 2014 dash-cam video of Laquan McDonald being shot and killed by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters confront Chicago police on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Police officers stand guard on bicycles as demonstrators link hands Nov. 24, 2015, at State Street and Roosevelt Road after the release of the 2014 video showing Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters block the Eisenhower Expressway at State Street in Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of police dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Chicago police officers scuffle with protesters trying to walk east on Balbo Drive after turning from Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015. Demonstrators went to the streets after the release of police dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting in 2014 of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

A man shouts at protesters to stop pushing against Chicago police officers using their bicycles prevent the crowd from walking east on Balbo Drive in downtown Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015. Demonstrators took to the streets after the release of police dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting in 2014 of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

A police officer calls for help after his leg was injured by his bike when protesters started pushing hard to get through a cordon on Balbo Drive in downtown Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015. Demonstrators went to the streets after the release of police dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting in 2014 of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Protesters clash with Chicago police officers on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A protester shouts at a police officer on Balbo Drive just east of Michigan Avenue in Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015. Protesters took to the streets after the release by the city of the 2014 dash-camera video of Laquan McDonald, 17, being fatally shot by police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Protesters march holding signs that spell out “Laquan” on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Activists take to the streets Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, 17, by a Chicago police officer in October 2014.

Demonstrators rally near Michigan Avenue and Balbo Drive in downtown Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of video showing Laquan McDonald being fatally shot by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke in October 2014.

Protesters form a circle at State Street and Roosevelt Road in Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A police officer stands outside a district headquarters on Nov. 24, 2015, after protesters took to the streets in reaction to the release of a police dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, 17, by a Chicago police officer in October 2014.

Demonstrators form a chain near the Balbo Avenue bridge in downtown Chicago on Nov. 24, 2015, after city officials released the dash-cam video of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke opening fire on 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, striking him 16 times, in October 2014.

People march near Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road on Nov. 24, 2015, after city officials released the dash-cam video of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke opening fire on 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, striking him 16 times, in October 2014.

Demonstrators march through the streets on Nov. 24, 2015, in reaction to the release of a police dash-cam video showing the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, 17, by a Chicago police officer in October 2014.

Gregg Greer holds a poster with Laquan McDonald’s photograph during a protest against police violence on Nov. 24, 2015, at State Street and Jackson Boulevard in Chicago.

Demonstrators march near Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road on Nov. 24, 2015, after city officials released the dash-cam video of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke opening fire on 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, striking him 16 times and killing him, in October 2014.

Demonstrators link hands near Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road on Nov. 24, 2015, after the release of the police video showing the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, 17.

Lamon Reccord, center, yells out during a protest against police violence on Nov. 24, 2015, at State Street and Jackson Boulevard in Chicago.