Chicago shooting not lifeguard's first accusation of shooting without justification
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WGN) A Chicago Park District lifeguard accused of shooting two teens last week, killing one, is the same man who avoided charges two years ago after shooting two dogs, one fatally, and engaged in an hours-long standoff with authorities, two police sources and the dogs’ owners tell affiliate WGN.

Jacqui Korvas Michels said Monday that she’s still traumatized by the February 2023 shooting of her dogs, Squishy and Oakie, in the alley outside her home while she was taking out the trash. Squishy was killed; Oakie survived but needed eight hours of surgery.

Korvas Michels learned Sunday that the man who shot her dogs, 55-year-old Charles Leto, is now facing charges that include homicide and attempted homicide in connection with a Thursday evening shooting at Douglass Park, where he worked as a lifeguard. Marjay Dotson, 15, was killed and Jeremy Herred, 14, was hospitalized. A third victim, another 15-year-old, was fired at during the incident but was not shot.

“I don’t understand why he’s working for Chicago Park District with children and he’s bringing a gun,” Korvas Michaels said.

No charges were filed in the 2023 case because detectives did not pursue them, even though the shooting resulted in a SWAT team response and an hours-long standoff at Leto’s Lakeview home. Leto is a concealed carry license and firearm owners identification card holder.

According to a police report obtained by WGN, Leto told the officer the dogs “kept moving towards him in an aggressive manner placing him in fear of his life causing him to fire at both dogs three times.”

Korvas Michels said her dogs, a back boxer labrador and a black labrador, were rescues and not aggressive pets.

She said she’s reached out to the attorney representing the families of the teen boys who were attacked last week.

“If we can be of any assistance with this case of the two young men, I would definitely be happy to help,” Korvas Michels told WGN. “I just wanted somebody to do something because this man shouldn’t be out. He shouldn’t have a gun. I don’t care about your military background.”

Korvas Michels said she would like police to revisit her case.

Charles Leto

Attorney Jayne Ingles, representing Leto, said she has no information about a 2023 incident beyond what has been publicly reported, and she noted there is no record of arrest or charges in court records.

“Charles Leto is a Marine veteran who served his country,” Ingles said in a statement. “He was a dedicated advocate for preserving Douglass Pool as an important community resource. We are committed to ensuring that his actions are understood in full context and that his rights are protected as this matter proceeds.”

Leto remains in custody.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly spelled Jacqui Korvas Michels’ name. It has been corrected.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Durbin Calls for Release of Audio from Ghislaine Maxwell’s DOJ Discussions

Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is demanding that the…

World’s Top Hunger Authority Warns of Impending Famine in Gaza

The “worst-case scenario of famine” is unfolding in the Gaza Strip under…

RFK Jr. Unveils Updates to Vaccine Injury Program

() Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced he…

“Cleaner Energy Set to Transform Lives in Coles County”

COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — A cheaper and cleaner form of energy…

South Carolina Resident Held by ICE for Over Two Years, “He Has Legal Residency”

FOLKSTON, Ga. () – A family is pleading for answers as their…

Charges of Sodomy and Child Cruelty Brought Against Johnson County Man

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ga. () – On July 16th, 59-year-old Rocky Dennis from…

Bay Area Influencer Alex Cooper Weighs in on Kis Cafe Controversy

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) “Call Her Daddy” podcaster Alex Cooper, popular Bay Area…

Department of Justice Challenges Judge in Deportation Case

(The Hill) The Justice Department filed a formal complaint on Monday, accusing…

Four individuals arrested in Glynn County on various charges

GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. () — The Glynn County Police Department (GCPD) has…

Hollywood Moves Rightward During Trump’s Era

() Some industry insiders say Hollywood, typically left-leaning, is starting to shift…

Firefighters Combat Blaze at Home in Pesotum

PESOTUM, Ill. (WCIA) — Multiple fire departments in Champaign County are actively…

Residents Share Their Thoughts on Augusta’s New Recycling Initiative

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – For thousands, trash day in Augusta also meant…