Chicago Park District lifeguard charged with killing teen, shooting cousin of Laquan McDonald near Douglass Park pool
A Chicago Park District lifeguard has been charged with murder and attempted murder, after shooting two teenagers – including a cousin of Laquan McDonald – near the Douglass Park swimming pool on Thursday.
Charles Leto, 55, has been charged with one count each of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
The Chicago Park District has confirmed Leto is a Park District employee, and a Chicago Fire Department source has confirmed he is a lifeguard.
Police have said two teenage boys, ages 14 and 15, were in the park around 7 p.m. Thursday near the pool and basketball court in the 1500 block of South Sacramento Street, moments after the pool closed, when Leto shot them.
The 14-year-old was shot in the neck, and the 15-year-old was shot in the back, police said. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition.
The 15-year-old later died. He has been identified as Marjay Dotson by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
The younger boy's family has identified him as Jeremy Herred, and confirmed that he made it out of surgery, but is still fighting for his life in the intenstive care unit at Stroger Hospital. They also confirmed that he is the cousin of Laquan McDonald, who was shot and killed by police in 2014.
A Chicago Fire Department source said Leto is a Chicago Park District lifeguard who was fixing a bike before he sprang up and began shooting. What caused him to shoot remains unclear.
In a statement, an attorney for the boys' families said, "There is no justification or excuse for this heinous criminal act by an employee of the Chicago Park District."
"While no amount of justice can ever restore Marjay's life or fully heal Jeremy's wounds, the families take solemn relief that the justice system is now engaged with the announcement of criminal charges against the shooter," attorney Jeff Neslund said. "They stand firm in their belief that through the diligent work of prosecutors and the courts, justice will be served. In this time of collective heartbreak, the families extend their gratitude to the first responders, including local football coaches at the park, all the medical care providers, the Chicago Police Department, and community members who have shown compassion and solidarity."
The boys' families want to know why Leto would shoot them.
"It's all at the hands of this one individual who chose to bring a weapon to work at a place where he has made a pledge and a vow to save lives," said Rev. Marvin Hunter, a relative of Herred and Laquan McDonald. "At least we now know that this person that has done this thing will not just go free."
Jeff Neslund, an attorney representing both boys' families, said he spoke with witnesses who said there was an altercation after the Douglass Park pool closed Thursday night.
"The lifeguard shooter was closing up the pool. There were some boys that did not get into the pool, and they were the ones that … did something in connection to his bike," Neslund said.
Neslund said Dotson and Herred were not among the boys who did something to Leto's bike.
"The shooter's backpack was attached to his bike somehow, and he took the backpack off his bike, turned the bike upside down, pulled out the handgun, and then everybody who was in the area just started to turn and run," he said.
Neslund said, according to witnesses, Dotson was closest to Leto when he started shooting, hitting Dotson in the back. He then turned and fired at Herred, shooting him in the neck.
He said the lifeguard claimed he was protecting himself.
"To claim self-defense is absurd when people are running away from you, they're unarmed, they're teenagers. So, again, it just boggles my mind," he said.
Neslund said the shooting was recorded on security cameras at the park. He wants to review the video with the victims' families, meet with city officials, and continue to talk with witnesses at the park.
The Park District released a statement saying in part:
"The Chicago Park District is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting that occurred at Douglass Park. We continue to cooperate with the Chicago Police Department as they conduct their active investigation. The Park District has made the decision to close Douglass Park pool today out of care and respect for the park staff and community members impacted by yesterday's events. The District is working with the Chicago Department of Public Health to offer crisis support services to the park staff and residents of the surrounding community."
Leto was due to appear in court on Sunday.
