'Attacked me and followed me': Lifeguard allegedly shoots 2 teens outside pool, killing 1 and wounding other, claims he 'defended' himself and victims tried stealing his bike

A lifeguard successful Chicago is facing murder and attempted murder charges for allegedly gunning down 2 teens astatine a section pool, sidesplitting 1 and wounding the other, successful what helium claims was an enactment of self-defense — telling police, "Those 2 kids attacked maine and followed me," according to reports.

Victims Marjay Dotson, 15, and Jeremy Herred, 14, were astatine the Douglass Park excavation astatine astir 7 p.m. Thursday erstwhile they were allegedly changeable by Chicago Park District lifeguard Charles Leto, 55, portion the 2 of them were lasting adjacent to him arsenic helium fixed a bicycle, according to WBEZ Chicago, citing the constabulary study and witnesser testimony.

Leto allegedly told cops aft the treble shooting helium was acting successful self-defense and was a ineligible weapon proprietor with a concealed transportation license. He said Dotson and Herred were targeting him and trying to bargain his bike, per section ABC affiliate WLS.

"I defended myself," Leto told police, according to WBEZ.

"I person a license," helium said.

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Dotson and Herred's families are calling for a hatred transgression probe to beryllium launched, telling WBEZ that they privation authorities to "see what his [Leto's] inheritance is and motivation." An authoritative motive has not yet been released.

Police accidental Leto opened occurrence connected Dotson and Herred portion they were adjacent him, with Leto allegedly pulling a handgun from a backpack helium had and blasting Dotson successful the backmost and Herred successful the neck. Witnesses told cops determination did not look to beryllium an altercation oregon provocation involving Leto and the teens earlier helium began shooting astatine them. Surveillance footage allegedly shows the teens being changeable by Leto.

"He was conscionable 15," 1 of Dotson's relatives told WLS. "His agleam tone and loving bosom touched america all. We cherish his representation forever."

Herred's uncle, who is simply a section pastor astatine Grace Memorial Baptist Church, told WLS that helium had lone been to the Douglass Park excavation 2 oregon 3 times before. Attorney Jeff Neslund, who is representing some families, claims the shooting was an alleged lawsuit of mistaken individuality — with Leto mistaking Dotson and Herred for kids who had messed with his motorcycle aft helium refused to fto them swim, Neslund says.

"The lifeguard shooter was closing up the pool," Neslund told section CBS affiliate WBBM. "There were immoderate boys that did not get into the pool, and they were the ones that … did thing successful transportation to his bike."

Leto is facing charges successful Cook County.

"To assertion self-defense is absurd erstwhile radical are moving distant from you," Neslund said. "They're unarmed, they're teenagers. So, again, it conscionable boggles my mind."