Lifeguard Killed 1 Dog, Injured Another 2 Years Before Shooting Teens: Reports

CHICAGO — The Chicago Park District lifeguard who fatally shot a 15-year-old boy and put a 14-year-old boy in the hospital last week at Douglass Park also shot two dogs two years ago, killing one of them, according to reports.

Charles Leto, 55, is set to appear in court Tuesday, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

In February 2023, Leto shot Jacqui Korvas Michels’ dogs while she was taking out her trash, killing one and forcing the other to undergo eight hours of surgery, she told WGN. The surviving dog still walks with a limp, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The incident led to a SWAT team response and a standoff that lasted hours at Leto’s home in Lakeview, but he was not charged, according to WGN, which reported Leto had the necessary paperwork to carry a gun and told police the dogs moved toward him aggressively.

Korvas Michels told the Sun-Times her dogs were barking at a cat.

Now, Leto is charged in the death of Marjay Dotson and injury of Jeremy Herred, according to reports.

The boys were in the park in the 14000 block of South Sacramento Drive around 7 p.m. Thursday when a man took out a gun and shot one in the neck and the other in the back, according to Chicago police.

“I don’t understand why he’s working for Chicago Park District with children and he’s bringing a gun,” Korvas Michels told WGN.

Leto’s attorney, Jayne Ingles, in a statement to WGN noted Leto is a Marine veteran and said she is “committed to ensuring that his actions are understood in full context.”