A Chicago Park District lifeguard has been charged in the fatal shooting of one teen and the critical injury of another near Douglass Park's swimming pool. The accused, Charles Leto, 55, faces several charges including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. on Thursday and resulted in the death of Marjay Dotson, 15, and severe injuries to Jeremy Herred, 14, a cousin of Laquan McDonald, a teenager killed by Chicago police in 2014.
Leto, a Lake View resident, was reportedly fixing his bike when the teenagers were shot. Initial claims by Leto, suggesting self-defense, were met with skepticism by Jeff Neslund, an attorney representing the victims' families, who said, "Those two kids attacked me and followed me. … I defended myself, I have a license.” During a statement, Neslund urged prosecutors to consider hate crime charges due to the racial dynamics involved—the alleged gunman is white while both victims are Black. Meanwhile, the CBS Chicago report highlighted the families' demand for answers and justice after the tragic event.
Details about Leto's past conduct surfaced with a parent, Ben Reifenberg, sharing an experience of Leto's earlier aggression at another public pool. In the aftermath of the shooting, the Park District closed the pool and provided crisis support services to staff and community members, a move reflecting the profound impact of the incident on the local community.
Leto was hired by the Chicago Park District in June 2023 and had a documented history of confrontational behavior. The incident, which has left a deep scar on the Douglass Park community, was met with gratitude from the victims' families towards the first responders and medical staff for their aid and compassion in the situation, according to a statement obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
