Union raises $4,000 for Amtrak officer charged with murder

CHICAGO (AP) - The Amtrak police union has raised thousands of dollars to help one of its officers who was charged with first-degree murder after he fatally shot an unarmed man running away from him at Chicago's Union Station.

The Amtrak Police Fraternal Order of Police says it has collected more than $4,000 for LaRoyce Tankson and contends the officer fired in self-defense.

Prosecutors say 25-year-old Chad Robertson was waiting for a train to Minneapolis last month when the officer stopped him over his suspected possession of marijuana.

Tankson's attorney has said the officer fired in self-defense after he saw Robertson reaching his hand toward his pocket while turning toward the officer as he ran. Prosecutors say none of the six witnesses saw such a gesture.