Pool lifeguard shoots teenagers, alleging self-defense, according to police

A lifeguard in Chicago is facing murder and attempted murder charges for allegedly gunning down two teens at a local pool, killing one and wounding the other, in what he claims was an act of self-defense — telling police, “Those two kids attacked me and followed me,” according to reports.

Victims Marjay Dotson, 15, and Jeremy Herred, 14, were at the Douglass Park pool at around 7 p.m. Thursday when they were allegedly shot by Chicago Park District lifeguard Charles Leto, 55, while the two of them were standing next to him as he fixed a bicycle, according to WBEZ Chicago, citing the police report and witness testimony.

Leto allegedly told cops after the double shooting he was acting in self-defense and was a legal gun owner with a concealed carry license. He said Dotson and Herred were targeting him and trying to steal his bike, per local ABC affiliate WLS.

“I defended myself,” Leto told police, according to WBEZ.

“I have a license,” he said.

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Dotson and Herred’s families are calling for a hate crime investigation to be launched, telling WBEZ that they want authorities to “see what his [Leto’s] background is and motivation.” An official motive has not yet been released.

Police say Leto opened fire on Dotson and Herred while they were near him, with Leto allegedly pulling a handgun from a backpack he had and blasting Dotson in the back and Herred in the neck. Witnesses told cops there did not appear to be an altercation or provocation involving Leto and the teens before he began shooting at them. Surveillance footage allegedly shows the teens being shot by Leto.

“He was just 15,” one of Dotson’s relatives told WLS. “His bright spirit and loving heart touched us all. We cherish his memory forever.”

Herred’s uncle, who is a local pastor at Grace Memorial Baptist Church, told WLS that he had only been to the Douglass Park pool two or three times before. Attorney Jeff Neslund, who is representing both families, claims the shooting was an alleged case of mistaken identity — with Leto mistaking Dotson and Herred for kids who had messed with his bike after he refused to let them swim, Neslund says.

“The lifeguard shooter was closing up the pool,” Neslund told local CBS affiliate WBBM. “There were some boys that did not get into the pool, and they were the ones that … did something in connection to his bike.”

Leto is facing charges in Cook County.

“To claim self-defense is absurd when people are running away from you,” Neslund said. “They’re unarmed, they’re teenagers. So, again, it just boggles my mind.”