Troubling Past Emerges: Douglass Park Lifeguard Charged in Teen’s Death Previously Shot Neighbor’s Dogs
- Natalie Frank
- Jul 1
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 15
New revelations surface about Charles Leto’s violent history as community members demand accountability
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D June 30, 2025
CHICAGO - CHICAGO — A shocking new detail has emerged in the Douglass Park shooting incident. Charles Leto, the 55-year-old Park District lifeguard who has now been charged in connection with the shooting death of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and the injury of 14-year-old Jeremy Herred, was also accused of shooting two family dogs two years ago killing one. But he was never legally held accountable.
The event in April 2023 shook residents of Lakeview when Leto reportedly came out of his home, grabbed a gun, and shot at two family dogs, killing one of them, and seriously injuring the other, all while their owner, Jacqui Korvas Michels, was taking out the trash. The situation escalated into a tense standoff that involved SWAT teams, helicopters, and federal agents. Despite the chaos, Leto was not charged or fined at that time.
