Lifeguard charged with Chicago teen's murder; surveillance video released
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WGN) A 55-year-old man has been charged for his role in a shooting at Douglass Park that killed one teen and injured another on Thursday, the Chicago Police Department announced.

Surveillance video, obtained by affiliate WGN through a source, captures the moments leading up to the shooting.

Charles Leto, a Chicago Park District lifeguard, is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing Sunday afternoon.

The footage shows a man, identified as Leto, working on his bike as a group of teens approaches. Suddenly, the man jumps up and opens fire on the teens.

Shortly after the shooting, the man is seen kneeling on the ground with a gun lying next to his knee.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office says 15-year-old Marjay Dotson was killed after being shot in the back during the incident.

Marjay Dotson (Photo provided by family)

Jeremy Herred, a 14-year-old sophomore at UIC College Prep, was shot in the neck and remains hospitalized.

The Sun-Times reports the suspect told police he has a concealed carry license and claims he acted in self-defense. He says the teens allegedly followed him, attacked him and tried to steal his bike.

A witness told police she was standing next to the man, who was fixing his bike, when a group, which included the two teens, approached him, according to the Sun-Times.

Jeremy Herred (Photo provided by family)

The witness said the man reached into his bag and grabbed his gun, then fired the weapon and struck the teens, according to the Sun-Times.

Leto has been charged with the following:

  • Murder
  • Attempted murder
  • Aggravated battery/discharge firearm
  • Aggravated discharge firearm

Jeff Neslund, the attorney for both teens, issued a statement after the charges were announced, saying in part:

“The families take solemn relief that the justice system is now engaged with the announcement of criminal charges against the shooter.”

At a press conference at Grace Memorial Church on Friday, Neslund firmly denied that there was any altercation or provocation involving the alleged shooter.

“No justification to shoot a child in the back anywhere. Let alone a public pool or park. We’ll get to the bottom of it,” he said.

Neslund says both boys were unarmed and argues that prosecutors should pursue hate crime charges against the man. Their families echo that call.

“I need justice to be swift, I need it to be exact, I need it to be strong in this matter,” Rev. Marvin Hunter, senior pastor of Grace Memorial Church, said.

Leto’s legal team is not commenting on his charges at this time.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Incident: Three Drown in Jasper County on Saturday Night

JASPER COUNTY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) — Three people were recovered after drowning in…

Serbia’s Populist Leader Promises Further Arrests Following Huge Anti-Government Rally

BELGRADE – Serbia’s president revealed on Sunday that more anti-government protesters are…

Tragic Plane Crash in Howland Leaves 6 Dead; NTSB Investigating

Editor’s note: This corrects Ray Pace and Mike Hillman’s titles. HOWLAND TWP.,…

Trump Announces ‘Temporary Pass’ for Migrant Farm and Hotel Workers

(The Hill) President Donald Trump said that there will be a temporary…

Revised Senate Bill Cuts Support for Wind and Solar, Introduces New Tax

An updated draft of the Senate’s megabill text slashes tax incentives for…

Two People Arrested After Downtown Shooting, Say JCPD

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Two people were arrested following an alleged…

UK Authorities Investigate Rapper’s Remarks About Israel at Glastonbury Festival

LONDON – The British police are reviewing footage from the Glastonbury Festival…

Rantoul Officials Offer Advice for Ensuring Pets Stay Happy on July 4th

RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) — Many people look forward to celebrating the Fourth…

Trump Advocates for Ceasefire in Gaza Amid Emerging Progress Signs

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called…

Several Firefighters Injured in Idaho Shooting

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…

Hong Kong’s Security Measures Affect Small Businesses Beyond Arrests

HONG KONG – Pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong has largely been subdued…

Family Believes Jennifer Kesse Case is Heating Up After Almost 20 Years

(NewsNation) — The family of Jennifer Kesse, who vanished nearly two decades…