The Chicago police officer who shot and killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014 was found guilty of second-degree murder on Friday, ABC 7 Chicago reports.

Jason Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder, but the jury had the option to consider second-degree murder in the case.

He was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm but was found not guilty of official police misconduct.

The judge told the jury before the foreman read the verdict that second-degree murder is first-degree murder with a mitigating factor, per ABC 7.

Van Dyke faced from 20 years to life for first-degree murder but could receive a sentence of from to probation to 20 years for the new charge.

The Chicago cop testified earlier this week that he feared for his life when he shot McDonald because the 17-year-old was holding a small knife and he continued to shoot him, despite him being on the ground, because he still viewed him as a threat.

Prosecutors had argued that each time Van Dyke shot McDonald that it was a crime that robbed him of his chance to live.

Each count of aggravated battery carries a six to 30-year sentence.