CHICAGO (WLS) — New video shows what led up to a deadly shooting at a popular West Side park last week.
CWB Chicago shared surveillance video it obtained of the shooting just after 7 p.m. Thursday at Douglass Park.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The video shows the teens walking near Charles Leto, 55, a Chicago Park District lifeguard, and his bike.
Leto is then seen getting up and pointing a gun at one of the teens.
There’s no sound on the video, and ABC7 Chicago froze the video before the gunfire begins.
Marjay Dotson, 15, was killed and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred, the cousin of Laquan McDonald, is still in the hospital.
Prosecutors say the Marine veteran purposely targeted the boys.
Leto’s defense attorney argued that the shootings were a reaction to provocation, as Leto acted in self-defense after the teenagers allegedly threatened him and expressed intent to steal his bicycle.
The lawyer mentioned that her client, a highly honored veteran, continued his employment at the park despite previous incidents that she claims prompted several other lifeguards to resign.
Leto’s lawyer claims the teens had already damaged his bike when they tried to steal it.
Leto’s attorneys also said he is a dedicated advocate for preserving Douglass Pool as an important community resource.
Officials reported that Leto shot at the teenagers following an exchange with a third teenager who was displeased about the pool’s closure. The third teenager was not harmed during the incident.
Leto has a concealed-carry license, but prosecutors say he violated park district policy, by bringing that gun to work.
Leto accused of shooting dogs in 2023
A Lakeview woman said Monday that Leto also shot her dogs, killing one, in 2023.
Oakie is a roughly 5-year-old Lab mix.
He seems a bit older than his years, as he had to endure five surgeries after he was shot four times.
Oakie’s owner says she saw the person who shot her dogs two years ago in the news again.
“All I know it that he killed my dog and tried to kill the other one and apparently he’s still on a hunt, shot two helpless teenager boys, which is disgusting,” Jacqui Korvas Michels said.
In February of 2023, Chicago Police SWAT teams responded to 1000 W. George St. A gunman shot two dogs. One dog died.
According to a police report obtained by the ABC-7 I-Team, a man by the same name, listed at the same address as the Douglass Park shooting suspect was involved in the shooting of two dogs in 2023 in Lakeview.
The dogs’ owner also identified the shooter as the same Charles Leto accused in the Douglass Park shooting.
The 2023 report described Leto “in fear of his life.” Leto had a concealed-carry license, and was not charged.
“It was very consistent. When he shot my dogs, how he felt threatened, they are not threatening,” Korvas Michels said. “Those boys weren’t threatening anybody; they were running away. That’s sick. How do you rationalize shooting dogs and children?”
Leto has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm.
He had his first court appearance Sunday, where he was ordered detained, pending trial. A judge said he showed a lack of judgment and is a danger to the community.
The Chicago Park District has put Leto on an unpaid, emergency suspension.
He’s due back in court Tuesday.
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
