Video reveals events preceding fatal shooting at Douglass Park in Chicago, resulting in Marjay Dotson’s death and injury to the cousin of Laquan McDonald

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.

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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 said the shootings were provoked and that Leto was defending himself after the teens threatened him, and said they were going to steal his bike.

The attorney said her client is a decorated veteran who still worked at the park despite earlier incidents she claims led to several other lifeguards quitting.

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.

Authorities said Leto opened fire on the boys after having words with a third teen who was upset that the pool was closing. That boy was unharmed in the attack.

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.

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