A lifeguard from Chicago is facing charges of murder and attempted murder after allegedly shooting two teenagers at a local swimming pool. The accused, Charles Leto, 55, claims he acted in self-defense, stating that the two teenagers attacked him and attempted to steal his bicycle. The incident resulted in the death of one teen and serious injury to the other.
The victims, Marjay Dotson, 15, and Jeremy Herred, 14, were at the Douglass Park pool around 7 p.m. on a Thursday when the incident occurred. According to police reports and witness accounts, Leto, a Chicago Park District lifeguard, allegedly shot the two teenagers while they stood next to him as he repaired his bicycle.
Following the incident, Leto reportedly told the police that he was a legal gun owner with a concealed carry license and that he had acted in self-defense. He claimed that Dotson and Herred had targeted him and attempted to steal his bicycle.
The families of Dotson and Herred are now calling for a hate crime investigation. They want authorities to delve into Leto’s background and motivations. As of now, an official motive for the shooting has not been released.
According to police, Leto allegedly drew a handgun from his backpack and shot Dotson in the back and Herred in the neck. Witnesses stated that there did not seem to be any altercation or provocation between Leto and the teenagers before the shooting. Surveillance footage allegedly shows Leto shooting the teenagers.
Dotson’s family described him as a bright spirit with a loving heart, while Herred’s uncle, a local pastor, said that the teenager had only visited the Douglass Park pool a few times. Jeff Neslund, the attorney representing both families, suggested that the shooting might have been a case of mistaken identity, with Leto possibly mistaking Dotson and Herred for other kids who had previously tampered with his bike.
Leto is currently facing charges in Cook County. Neslund criticized Leto’s claim of self-defense, stating that it was absurd to claim self-defense when the victims were running away unarmed.