A Chicago police officer has been charged with first-degree murder after the off-duty shooting of a 38-year-old unarmed man earlier this month.
Authorities say Lowell Houser was off-duty when he became involved in a confrontation with Jose Nieves on Jan. 2. Police later said Nieves did not have a weapon.
Howell is a 28-year veteran and is appear for a bond hearing Thursday. He has been stripped of his police powers.
Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has said the officer and Nieves were involved in a prior confrontation.
The charge comes days after the U. S. Justice Department released a scathing report on the Chicago Police Department, concluding it frequently used excessive force.
In recent days, an officer was charged for felony criminal sexual assault against an underage girl.
