Charles Leto, a 55-year-old lifeguard employed by the Chicago Park District, faces serious legal consequences following a shooting incident outside the Douglass Park pool that left one teenager dead and another critically injured.
Leto has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
On Thursday night, the shooting occurred shortly after Leto completed his shift as a lifeguard.
According to the Cook County Circuit Judge Luciano Panici Jr., Leto’s actions displayed a ‘terrifying lack of judgment’ that endangered many lives in a crowded park setting.
References to the victims, 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred, reveal the severe consequences of Leto’s actions; Dotson was killed, and Herred remains in critical condition after being shot in the neck.
They were reportedly with a third teenager, who Leto also shot at but did not injure.
Witnesses describe a tense situation where after a brief and non-violent argument between Leto and the group of teenagers, Leto stopped to repair his bike.
As Leto looked into his backpack, Marjay walked past him, followed by Jeremy. It was then that Leto allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at the teenagers.
According to prosecutors, Leto shot Marjay in the back, shot Jeremy, and aimed at the third boy who was walking backward with his hands raised, clearly trying to distance himself from the shooter.
Afterward, Leto called the police, claiming he was attacked by the boys and shot in self-defense.
However, prosecutors noted that surveillance footage and witness accounts contradict his assertions, indicating he was not in immediate danger.
During a court appearance, Leto’s attorney, Jayne Ingles, described him as a decorated Marine veteran acting in self-defense.
Ingles characterized Leto’s job as a lifeguard as a means to contribute positively to the community, despite Park District records showing he was hired just months prior, in June 2023, earning $16.19 per hour.
On Sunday, Cook County Circuit Judge Luciano Panici Jr. ordered Leto to be held without bail, emphasizing the threat he poses to the community, especially to the victims and those present at the park during the incident.
‘This defendant is a terrifying threat to the community and the two teenagers he shot,’ Judge Panici stated.
The judge expressed disbelief that a combat-experienced veteran would resort to firing a weapon at teenagers, further stating there was no justification for such action.
Ingles, however, asserted that Leto had been confronted by a group of ten teenagers who allegedly threatened him and attempted to steal his bike before dropping it.
She contended that Leto acted out of a sense of vulnerability when he discharged his weapon.
Community reactions have largely condemned Leto’s actions, recalling instances of troubling behavior while on duty.
Local mother Paje Woods, who frequents the Douglass Park pool, noted that Leto had a reputation for aggressive behavior towards children at both Douglass Park and other pools where he worked.
Woods recalled seeing Leto berating young swimmers and demanding unnecessary personal documents from parents, actions she described as demeaning towards both the children and adults in the vicinity.
Witness testimony indicates that there was a prevailing sense of discomfort surrounding Leto’s presence, with some arguing his conduct prior to the shooting should have raised alarm.
With the deaths and injuries inflicted during the incident, many in the community are questioning how a lifeguard, meant to ensure safety, could resort to gun violence.
Leto’s situation raises critical issues about gun control and public safety, especially in environments frequented by families and children.
As his trial awaits, the events of Thursday night continue to resonate within the community, memorializing the unfortunate loss of young life.
Whether Leto’s defense will hold weight in the court of law remains to be seen, but the repercussions of that night will certainly echo through the lives affected.
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