In CHICAGO (WLS), the Chicago Park District has initiated an inquiry following the arrest of a lifeguard for shooting two teenagers, resulting in one fatality, at Douglass Park last week.
The park district revealed that the lifeguard, 55-year-old Charles Leto, opted to resign instead of facing termination after being placed on immediate, unpaid suspension.
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“The killing of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and the injuring of 14-year-old Jeremy Herred by former Park District lifeguard Charles Leto is a tragedy we deeply regret. Our thoughts are with Marjay’s family, friends, and the North Lawndale community, and we are holding Jeremy and his family in our prayers. This despicable act of violence has deeply affected us all, and we are determined to take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future,” stated the park district.
This comes as community members gathered to demand changes at Douglass Park on Tuesday evening.
“We are not accepting the fact that our young people’s blood can be spilled on the grounds of a place that they’re supposed to be safe at,” said Rev. Marvin Hunter, a great-great-uncle of one of the victims.
A petition for accountability, investment and safety in the public park also asks for an apology following the deadly shooting, which happened on Thursday.
Leto allegedly shot 15-year-old Marjay Dotson to death and injured Laquan McDonald’s 14-year-old cousin, Jeremy Herred, who remains in the hospital, fighting for his life, his family says.
“Everybody deserves to live, but we do not deserve to die by someone who is supposed to keep kids safe,” said 24th Ward Ald. Monique Scott.
Timothy McClellan, Dotson’s brother, was among those in court, where Leto appeared earlier Tuesday.
“We are devastated. This isn’t nobody we can bring back. Ain’t no money going to bring my brother back,” McClellan said. “I’m devastated. I’m speechless right now. I don’t even sleep well. I can’t eat.”
Marquis Bryant, Dotson’s family friend, was also at court.
“If it was your people, you would want to be there for them. Like, when he graduated, we was there, you feel me? So, we are going to be there every step of the way,” Bryant said.
The CWB Chicago shared surveillance video from Thursday evening with ABC7.
The video shows the teens walking near Leto and his bike. Leto is then seen getting up and pointing a gun at one of the teens.
There is no sound in the footage, and ABC7 froze the video before the gunfire begins.
Leto, a Marine veteran, alleged that the teens were trying to steal his bike. He said he was defending himself against the unarmed teenagers.
Prosecutors say the surveillance video contradicts Leto’s claim of self-defense. But Leto’s attorney, Jayne Ingles, commented while leaving court on Tuesday.
“This is a tremendous tragedy for everybody involved. We are not going to try this case in the media. We are going to try this case in the courtroom, as it should be,” Ingles said.
Leto has a Concealed-Carry License, but prosecutors say he violated park district policy by bringing a gun to work.
And according to a police report obtained by the ABC7 I-Team, Leto was not charged for allegedly shooting his neighbors’ dogs in 2023, but he was named as subject who fired his legal weapon at the dogs. He said said he feared for his life.
One of the dogs died. The other has lasting effects after being shot four times.
“How was it that he was able to then work for the park district?” said community organizer Mark Carter.
CPD classified the incident with the dogs as non-criminal. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office never reviewed the case, as CPD did not refer it for possible charges.
Dotson’s family says his funeral will be held next week. Herred is still in the hospital.
Leto remains in custody on Tuesday, charged with murder and attempted murder.
Leto due back in court on July 16. The park district said he has been placed on their Do Not Rehire list, making him ineligible for future employment there.
Full statement from the Chicago Park District:
“As of today, Charles Leto is no longer an employee of the Chicago Park District. Last Friday, the District placed Leto on unpaid emergency suspension. After the District took swift action toward terminating his employment under the process outlined in our collective bargaining agreement, Leto resigned in lieu of termination. Leto has been placed on the Park District’s Do Not Rehire list, making him ineligible for future employment with our agency.
Our hearts are broken by the tragic and inexcusable killing of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and the shooting of 14-year-old Jeremy Herred by former Park District lifeguard Charles Leto. We extend our deepest condolences to Marjay’s family, friends, and the North Lawndale community, and we are keeping Jeremy and his family in our prayers. This horrific act of violence has shaken us all, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.
The Park District continues to fully cooperate with the Chicago Police Department. In addition, beginning last Thursday, we launched a comprehensive internal review to understand what led to this tragedy and to determine what steps must be taken to strengthen safety and accountability. We are committed to transparency and will share an update on our findings and next steps in the days ahead.
Our parks are places where residents come together not only to play and connect, but also to grieve, heal, and raise their voices. We fully support the right of community members to gather peacefully in our parks and exercise their First Amendment rights, as members of the North Lawndale community did tonight in Douglass Park. We have received the petition circulated by the Chi North Lawndale Chamber of Commerce, and we look forward to meeting with petition organizers and stakeholders to address their concerns and work together toward accountability, healing, and lasting change.
In the meantime, we are continuing to support Douglass Park staff and North Lawndale residents with resources, trauma-informed services, and an unwavering commitment to safety and healing. Our parks must be sanctuaries-places where young people are protected, not harmed. We will not rest until we have taken every possible step to ensure our parks live up to that promise.”
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