A World of Wonder Press

By Noelle Dodge | October 6, 2026 | A World of Wonder Press

Part 1 – 16 Shots 39 Months

On October 20th of this year, it will mark 12 years since one man fired sixteen shots. But the case didn’t end with a verdict — it is still being served every day, by two women who were not even present at the incident.
Neither woman ever pulled a trigger or caused the reason to do so: Laquan McDonald’s mother, Tina Hunter, and former Officer Jason Van Dyke’s wife, Tiffany Van Dyke.
The systems that failed these men also failed both of these women, years before the shooting, in ways that were documented, measurable, and ignored.
This is two mirror-image system failures: the system failed to stop Jason Van Dyke who prior to the 2014 shooting had 20 complaints, zero discipline, no supervision. One of those complaints cost the city of Chicago $350,000.00 for using excessive force during a routine traffic stop.

The other system failed to save LaQuan McDonald, a PTSD diagnosed minor of the foster care system who by age 17 was repeatedly, traumatized and could not consider following the commands demanding he comply that night.
That night on Pulaski Road, the two failed systems collided between the department that wouldn’t restrain its officer with the child-welfare system that wouldn’t heal its child.
The price was paid by the two women that loved them both. Neither woman fired a shot.

One unable to attend court due to not having childcare resulting in her being threatened by the opposing party if she does not show up.
She eventually attended, bringing her infant with her to court. The other woman had to attend court in a bulletproof vest due to the death threats.

Both women have been serving a sentence since 2014 and had nothing to do with that day.
It is time we start recognizing the price women pay for the men they love.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This story will unfold throughout October on our website.