Crime
Video shows moments Marjay Dotson shot and killed by Charles Leto at Douglass Park
Authorities have released new details and surveillance footage in connection with a deadly shooting near the Douglass Park swimming pool Thursday evening, which left a 15-year-old boy dead and another teenager critically injured.
The suspect, identified as 55-year-old Charles Leto of Lakeview, a Chicago Park District employee, has been formally charged with multiple felony counts.
The incident occurred around 7:03 p.m. in the 1400 block of South Sacramento Drive, shortly after the pool had closed for the day.
Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers and Fire Department personnel responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire near the parkโs basketball courts and pool area.
Upon arrival, officers found two teenage boys suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims were identified as 15-year-old Marjay Dotson, who sustained a gunshot wound to his back and was later pronounced dead, and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred, who was shot in the neck and remains hospitalized in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery.
Herredโs family confirmed he is a cousin of Laquan McDonald, the 17-year-old whose 2014 death at the hands of a Chicago police officer sparked national protests.
Charles Leto, who is listed as a lifeguard or supervisor with the Chicago Park District, was detained at the scene.
According to a police report, Leto claimed the two teens โattackedโ him while he was working on his bicycle and asserted that he was licensed to carry a concealed firearm.
Surveillance video obtained by investigators, though lacking audio, shows Leto kneeling beside an overturned bicycle near the parking lot.
As three teens approach from the sidewalk, a woman is also seen walking nearby.
Moments later, the video shows Leto suddenly rising and opening fire, striking the two teens.
Police say the shooting occurred just moments after the pool closed.
Eyewitness accounts and surveillance evidence contradict Leto’s claim of self-defense, and investigators have since charged him with the following:
- First-degree murder
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Aggravated battery
- Aggravated discharge of a firearm
Chicago Park District officials have confirmed Leto’s employment and said he was off-duty at the time of the incident.
In a statement, the Park District expressed its deep sorrow and announced the temporary closure of the Douglass Park pool โout of care and respect for the park staff and community members impacted by the tragedy.โ Crisis support services are being provided through the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez Rosa and Alderman Monique Scott, visited the park on Friday to meet with staff and offer support to the affected community.
Leto remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing on Sunday.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact CPD or Crime Stoppers.
Crime
Who was Jesse Strang? Tumbler Ridge Secondary School Shooting Suspect Identified as Transgender Student
Authorities are continuing to investigate the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, that left at least 10 people dead, including multiple victims at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School and two individuals at a separate residence connected to the case.
While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have not formally released the suspectโs identity, the alleged shooter has been identified by a close family member as 17-year-old Jesse Strang, a student at the school.
The outlet stated it spoke with Russell G. Strang, identified as the suspectโs uncle, who claimed that Jesse was responsible for the attack and described the teen as transgender.
Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed these details, and investigators have urged the public to rely on verified information as the case remains active.
According to RCMP, gunfire was first reported at approximately 1:20 p.m. at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
Responding officers discovered six victims deceased inside the building, while a seventh victim later died while being transported to a hospital.
Two additional victims were airlifted to regional medical facilities with serious or life-threatening injuries, and roughly 25 others were evaluated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening.
During the investigation, officers identified what they described as a โsecondary location believed to be connected to the incident.โ At that residence, police located two additional victims who were pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspected gunman is also deceased, reportedly from what investigators believe to be a self-inflicted injury.
โOfficers are conducting further searches of additional homes and properties to determine whether anyone else may be injured or otherwise linked to todayโs events,โ the RCMP said in a statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed profound sorrow following the tragedy.
โI am devastated by this shooting. I join Canadians in grieving with those whose lives have been changed irreversibly today, and in gratitude for the courage and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to protect their fellow citizens,โ Carney said.
Tumbler Ridge, a remote community of approximately 2,400 residents in the Northern Rockies region of northeastern British Columbia, is now grappling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest acts of violence in its history.
Crisis support resources and emergency personnel have been mobilized to assist victims, families, and residents affected by the tragedy.
In the wake of the shooting, strong opinions and commentary have circulated online regarding the suspectโs identity, gender, and possible motives.
Authorities have not established a motive, nor have they confirmed personal details about the suspect. Officials caution against spreading speculation or attributing the attack to any ideology or group without verified evidence.
The investigation remains active as law enforcement works to confirm the suspectโs identity, reconstruct the timeline of events, and determine what factors led to the violence.
Additional updates are expected as authorities continue to gather and verify information.
Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to contact law enforcement and encouraging the public to respect the privacy of the victimsโ families during this time of profound loss.