The Chicago police officer who fatally shot unarmed black teen Laquan McDonald 16 times last year in a deadly incident that was captured on video has been with first-degree murder.

The Chicago Tribune reports footage from the shooting involving officer Jason Van Dyke is finally scheduled to be released by Wednesday after a criminal court judge ordered it so earlier this month. The charges mark the first time in nearly four decades a local officer has faced such severe circumstances stemming from a fatal shooting that occurred while on duty.

Van Dyke has been on paid desk duty since gunning down the 17-year-old teen last October. Ever since his death, advocates have been feverishly fighting for the dash cam footage to be released, which reportedly shows the teen walking away from officers before Van Dyke opens fire from about 15 feet away.

Word is the tape shows Van Dyke continuing to fire even after the youth hits the ground. Outraged advocates argue the footage is only being released after a freelance journalist fought for it to see the light of day.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has admitted he is fearful the video might spark violent protests from among residents and is pleading for calm even before the tape has been publicly viewed. On Monday, he described the shooting as "hideous" and said it had "no justification."

He later told reporters, "People have a right and should exercise their First Amendment rights. Do it in a focused way, a responsible way so your voices and ideas are heard."

Police confronted McDonald after receiving calls of a man with a knife and an autopsy report has concluded he had drugs in his body at the time of his death.

Even before formally filing a suit, McDonald's family has already been awarded a $5 million settlement from the city. None of the five other officers at the scene fired a shot.