CHICAGO — A Chicago Park District lifeguard is facing murder and attempted murder charges after allegedly opening fire on two teenage boys at the Douglass Park pool Thursday evening, killing one and seriously injuring the other.
Charles Leto, 55, was arrested following the shooting of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred around 7 p.m. Witnesses and surveillance footage indicate the teens were standing near Leto as he worked on his bicycle when the shots rang out, according to a police report cited by WBEZ Chicago.
Police say Leto retrieved a handgun from his backpack and shot Dotson in the back and Herred in the neck. Dotson later died from his injuries.
Leto allegedly told police he fired in self-defense because the two boys “attacked me and followed me,” claiming he was trying to protect himself and his bike. “I defended myself,” Leto reportedly said, adding, “I have a license,” referencing his concealed carry permit.
However, authorities say there’s no evidence the teens initiated an attack. Witnesses told police there was no altercation or visible provocation before Leto began shooting. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the teens being fired upon without engaging Leto.
Attorney Jeff Neslund, who is representing both victims’ families, said the incident may have stemmed from mistaken identity. According to Neslund, Leto may have believed Dotson and Herred were responsible for tampering with his bicycle after he allegedly refused them entry to the pool.
“The lifeguard shooter was closing up the pool,” Neslund told WBBM. “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 condemned Leto’s self-defense claim. “To claim self-defense is absurd when people are running away from you,” he said. “They’re unarmed, they’re teenagers. So, again, it just boggles my mind.”
Dotson’s family described the slain teen as a “bright spirit” whose “loving heart touched us all.” Herred’s uncle, a local pastor, said Herred had only been to the Douglass Park pool a few times before the tragedy.
Both families are calling for authorities to investigate the shooting as a potential hate crime, demanding a closer look at Leto’s background and motivations.
Leto remains in custody and is facing charges in Cook County. An official motive for the shooting has not yet been determined.
