A tragic incident occurred outside a pool in Chicago when a lifeguard, Charles Leto, allegedly shot two teens, killing one and injuring the other. The shooting took place Thursday evening at the Douglass Park pool.
According to reports, Leto claims he acted in self-defense, stating that the two victims, Marjay Dotson, 15, and Jeremy Herred, 14, attacked him and tried to steal his bike.
The Incident and Leto’s Claims
Around 7 p.m., Dotson and Herred were reportedly near Leto while he was fixing his bicycle. According to police reports, Leto pulled out a handgun from his backpack and opened fire on the teens, hitting Dotson in the back and Herred in the neck.
Leto, who is a legal gun owner with a concealed carry license, told police that he had to defend himself as the teens were targeting him and attempting to steal his bike. He allegedly told officers, “Those two kids attacked me and followed me,” and reiterated, “I defended myself.”
However, witness testimony and surveillance footage suggest there was no prior altercation or provocation before the shooting. Witnesses claim the two teens were simply standing nearby when Leto began firing at them. The surveillance footage reportedly shows the teens being shot without any apparent conflict or warning.
Families Demand Hate Crime Investigation
The families of Dotson and Herred are calling for a hate crime investigation into the shooting. They are demanding that authorities look into Leto’s background and possible motivations behind the shooting.
Although an official motive has yet to be determined, attorney Jeff Neslund, who represents both families, has raised concerns that the shooting could have been a case of mistaken identity.
He claims that Leto might have mistaken Dotson and Herred for other youths who had previously interacted with his bike after being refused entry to the pool.
“The lifeguard shooter was closing up the pool,” Neslund told local CBS affiliate 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 described the shooting as an absurd claim of self-defense, arguing that the teens were unarmed and were running away from Leto when he shot them.
Victims’ Families and Community Reactions
Dotson’s family mourned the loss of the 15-year-old, calling him a bright and loving spirit. One relative shared with WLS, “His bright spirit and loving heart touched us all.
We cherish his memory forever.” Herred’s uncle, a local pastor, also expressed sorrow, noting that his nephew had only visited the Douglass Park pool a few times before the incident.
The community has reacted with shock and outrage, with many questioning Leto’s actions and whether they were truly an act of self-defense. Local leaders and activists have voiced concerns over the shooting, and the families are demanding justice for the teens.
Legal Consequences and Investigations
Charles Leto is currently facing charges in Cook County for the murder of Dotson and the attempted murder of Herred. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have yet to release more details about Leto’s motives. As the legal process unfolds, the families of the victims and the community continue to seek answers and justice.
This tragic shooting has raised serious questions about self-defense claims, racial tensions, and the use of firearms in situations involving teenagers. The lives of two young boys have been changed forever, with one lost and the other injured.
As the investigation continues, both families are demanding justice and calling for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding this devastating incident.
