Teen celebrates birthday paralyzed, on ventilator 1 year after lifeguard shot him at Douglass Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Friday marks one year since teenagers Marjay Dotson and Jeremy Herred Jr. were shot at Douglass Park.

Dotson was killed. Herred Jr. survived. Now, three days a week, the Herred family gathers at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for the teen's physical therapy appointments.

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He practices moving his mouth and neck to operate a wheelchair. A year after the shooting, he remains paralyzed and on a ventilator.

"It's OK. We are figuring it out," Herred Jr. said during a recent therapy session.

His father, Jeremy Herred Sr., said the family draws strength from his son's resilience.

"It's definitely proud moments to see how strong he is, never miserable, like never really down, laugh every day. It's bittersweet because it's tragic at the same time," Herred Sr. said.

Herred Jr. was shot on June 26, 2025 at the Douglass Park Pool. Surveillance video shows a then-lifeguard opening fire. Fifteen-year-old Dotson died.

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This June 26, Herred Jr. will celebrate his 16th birthday with family and friends.

"We are celebrating his life because a year ago, we got the news... We got to prove what the doctor said was wrong. We are still here and we are still fighting," Herred Sr. said.

Herred Jr. said he will not return to the Douglass Park pool and hopes there are better people working there this summer. The 15-year-old said he finds strength in his faith.

"Just believe in God," he said.

He said he also asks God to protect others.

"For nothing to happen like this to anybody else," he said.

Charles Leto was charged in the shootings. The Chicago Park District says it is working on making changes after an internal investigation.

"In response to the Douglass Park Shooting last June, the Chicago Park District committed to executing 27 action items outlined in the Douglass Park Internal Review, which was made public in July 2025. For the past 11 months, we have been working on implementation of all of the deliverables, including establishing responsive staff trainings, and adding staffing as well as public safety coverage, and will be releasing a progress report listing all of the completed items next month," the Park District said.

As the anniversary arrives, the focus for the Herred family is on the teen, who is surrounded by family and friends.

READ MORE | Families of 2 teens shot in Douglass Park sue former lifeguard, Chicago Park District