Former Chicago Park District lifeguard charged in deadly Douglass Park shooting is ordered detained

Tuesday, December 23, 2025
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The suspended Chicago Park District lifeguard accused in a deadly shooting will remain in custody.

Charles Leto is charged with killing 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and attempting to kill Jeremy Herred Jr.



Police say Leto shot both teens at Douglass Park in June.

Leto's lawyers claim it was self-defense, as he believed the teens were going to attempt to rob him.

SEE ALSO | Douglass Park shooting report outlines lifeguard's disciplinary past, park district security issues

A lawyer for Herred, who was in court for Tuesday's hearing, claims that's not true.



Herred is paralyzed from the shooting, and his lawyer says he is expecting to be released from a rehabilitation center soon.

READ MORE | Video shows what led up to Douglass Park shooting that killed teen, injured Laquan McDonald's cousin

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