Chicago Police Chief McCarthy fired amid teen shooting scandal

Image 1 of 2

▼

FILE - In this May 2, 2011 file photo, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy speaks during a news conference in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has fired the city's police chief after a public outcry over the handling of the case of a black teenager shot 16 times by a white police officer. Emanuel announced at a news conference Tuesday that he has dismissed Superintendent Garry McCarthy, who only days ago insisted to reporters that the mayor had his "back."

WATCH: Mayor Rahm Emanuel announces Garry McCarthy out as Chicago Police Superintendent.

Protesters have been calling for McCarthy's dismissal for days in response to the handling of the Laquan McDonald shooting. The black 17-year-old was shot 16 times by a white police officer in October 2014.

The city released police dashcam video of the shooting only after a judge ordered it to be made public. Its release last week set off several days of largely peaceful protests. Officer Jason Van Dyke has been charged with first-degree murder.

McCarthy has been chief since May 2011. Prior to coming to Chicago he served as police superintendent in Newark, New Jersey, and in the NYPD.