Video shows teen victims did not attack Douglass Park shooting suspect, prosecutors say
After deadly shooting at Chicago park, community demands answers
The leader of the Chicago Park District was trying to put fears at ease in light of a deadly shooting last week at Douglass Park.
CHICAGO - While the man accused of shooting two teens, one fatally, at Douglass Park last week claimed self-defense, prosecutors say video and witness statements tell a different story.
The shooting left Marjay Dotson, 15, dead and a 14-year-old boy seriously wounded after being hit in the neck.
(Chicago Police Department)
The suspect, Charles Leto, 55, appeared in court on Tuesday, where prosecutors detailed what they say happened before the shooting.
Witnesses, video contradict suspect's story
What we know:
Around 7 p.m. on June 26, someone had taken Leto’s bike from where it was parked and left it up the stairs, although prosecutors said there was no information that the victims in the case were responsible.
Leto, who was employed as a lifeguard at the Douglass Park Pool, retrieved his bike and got into a brief verbal argument with one of the 15-year-old victims.
The suspect walked his bike up the sidewalk, stopped, and flipped his bike upside down. He took off his backpack and began to search through it when the three victims were walking nearby.
Prosecutors said none of the "numerous" witnesses who were interviewed heard the victims threaten Leto. None of the victims were armed with any weapons.
As the victims walked closer to Leto, one of them "reached toward" his bike. That’s when Leto allegedly stood up, pointed his gun at the boy, and fired a single shot. The teen, Dotson, was hit in the lower back and fell to the ground, prosecutors said.
Leto then allegedly turned and fired shots at the other two teens standing in the grassy area. One of the teens put his hands in the air, and both boys walked backwards, away from Leto.
A 14-year-old boy was shot in the neck and fell to the ground. The other boy, 15, was not hit by any bullets.
Prosecutors said Leto called 911 after the shooting and claimed he was attacked by the boys, a claim contradicted by video and witness statements.
Dotson died from the gunshot wound to his back. The teen shot in the neck was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The bullet shattered his vertebrae and severed an artery, which brought blood to his brain.
Leto had no prior criminal history, according to prosecutors. But on Monday, an attorney representing the victims in the shooting confirmed that Leto was also accused of shooting two dogs, one fatally, in Lake View in 2023.
No one was ever charged in that shooting.
‘Completely unacceptable’
What they're saying:
Leto resigned his position at the Chicago Park District, officials said Tuesday.
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the CEO of the Park District, said on Tuesday that parks should be a safe space for gatherings, not for violence.
"Our parks exist so importantly for our young people to have places to gather and play," Ramirez-Rosa said. "And so the actions of Charles Leto are completely unacceptable."
He added, "Lifeguards are supposed to save children's lives, not take a child's life."
The Park District said last week it was investigating what led to the shooting.
Community members also held a rally at the site of the shooting on Tuesday night. They demanded better background checks on potential employees.
"What kind of things do you need to bring to work with you to be a lifeguard at the pool?," said Pastor Marvin Hunter, a family member of the victim left in critical condition. "Certainly not the things that he had in the backpack. So that speaks volumes as to who he was. That speaks volumes as to why the aldermen is demanding that we need to have a more robust background check."
What's next:
Leto is due back in court on July 16.