A lifeguard for the Chicago Park District has been charged with murder and attempted murder following a shooting incident that left one teenager dead and another critically injured at Douglass Park.
Charles Leto, 55, from Lake View, faces multiple felony charges including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Thursday when 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and his 14-year-old friend Jeremy Herred approached Leto, who was fixing his bike. As the teens drew near, Leto allegedly pulled a handgun from his backpack and opened fire, striking Marjay in the back and Jeremy in the neck.
Marjay was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Meanwhile, Jeremy is currently hospitalized in critical condition, with doctors expressing concerns about potential brain damage, according to an attorney representing the victims’ families.
Leto claimed he acted in self-defense during his encounter with police, allegedly stating, “Those two kids attacked me and followed me. … I defended myself, I have a license.”
A representative for Leto declined to comment on the charges as of Saturday, and attempts to reach a spokesperson for the Chicago Park District were unsuccessful.
Both victims’ families are devastated by the tragic turn of events and are calling for the prosecution to consider hate crime charges against Leto. Jeff Neslund, the attorney for the families, highlighted the racial dynamics involved, noting that Leto is white and both Marjay and Jeremy are Black. He urged prosecutors to closely examine Leto’s background and motivations.
In a statement released on behalf of the families, Neslund expressed their grief over the “senseless act of gun violence,” asserting, “There is no justification or excuse for this heinous criminal act.”
Neslund recognized the efforts of first responders, including youth football coaches practicing at the park during the incident, as well as medical personnel and community members who have shown support. He acknowledged that while no amount of justice can replace Marjay’s life or fully heal Jeremy’s injuries, the families find some solace in the criminal charges filed against Leto.
Leto was hired by the park district as a seasonal lifeguard in June 2023 and received a wage of $16.19 per hour, according to district records.
In addition to the charges, past incidents involving Leto have raised concerns about his behavior. The father of a 5-year-old girl who took a swim class at the park district reported an alarming encounter he had with Leto at another public pool earlier this year.
Ben Reifenberg described an incident in January at Gill Park, where he unknowingly found himself on the pool deck while searching for his daughter. Reifenberg said Leto confronted him with increasing aggression, making a fist and escalating the situation.
“I felt very threatened,” Reifenberg recalled, explaining that he feared for his safety as the confrontation became more intense.
Fortunately, other lifeguards intervened to de-escalate the situation, but Reifenberg reported feeling shaken enough that he chose not to return to swim class after that incident. He later drafted a complaint letter about Leto’s behavior but ultimately decided against sending it for fear of provoking further aggression.
Describing Leto as someone who had a history of being confrontational, Reifenberg indicated that fellow lifeguards had expressed similar concerns about Leto being quick to anger and aggressive during conflicts.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the community remains on edge, calling for justice and accountability in light of the tragic loss of life and the ongoing struggle for Jeremy’s recovery.
The families of Marjay and Jeremy are asking for privacy as they navigate this difficult time while seeking support from their community.
image source from：wbez
