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.
TAUNTON, Mass. โ One person was killed and seven others were injured in an overnight shooting at a house party in Taunton, Massachusetts, authorities said.
The shooting happened at approximately 12:35 a.m. Sunday at a residence in the 261 Weir Street area. Taunton police officers responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots.
When officers arrived, they found several people suffering from gunshot wounds. Investigators were also informed that additional victims had already been transported to area hospitals for medical treatment.
Authorities ultimately identified eight shooting victims, all of whom were reportedly in their early 20s.
One of the victims, 22-year-old Zirovick Depina of Brockton, was pronounced dead early Sunday morning, according to the Bristol County District Attorneyโs Office.
Of the seven surviving victims, one remains in serious but stable condition, while the others suffered injuries that were considered non-life-threatening. Their identities have not been publicly released.
The shooting occurred during a gathering at the residence. Images from the scene showed a tent and tables in the yard, along with white balloons and what appeared to be a photo backdrop near a garage.
A neighbor told authorities that large gatherings and loud parties had reportedly been common at the residence.
The home is located about a mile from the Taunton Police Department headquarters. The neighbor expressed concern about the shooting occurring in the area, particularly given the late-night activity.
The investigation is being conducted by Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneyโs Office, and other investigative units. Detectives are working to determine what led to the gunfire and identify those responsible.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Taunton police or investigators with the Bristol County District Attorneyโs Office.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional information is expected as authorities continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.