Overview
- The civil complaint, filed this week, seeks damages across multiple counts including wrongful death, personal injury, and wanton hiring and retention.
- Fifteen-year-old Marjay Dotson was killed and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred was shot in the neck and is now quadriplegic, according to the lawsuit.
- Former lifeguard Charles Leto, 55, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and related offenses and remains detained, with his next court date set for Oct. 14.
- Most of the shooting was captured on park surveillance video; prosecutors say the teens were unarmed and witnesses heard no threats, while Leto told police he fired in self-defense.
- An internal Park District review found prior altercations and untracked warnings about Leto and noted a 2023 Lakeview dog-shooting incident, and the district says it will review the lawsuit as it pursues security, training and disciplinary-tracking reforms.