Lifeguard Charged With Shooting 2 Teens, Killing 1: Police

CHICAGO — A lifeguard is facing first-degree murder and other charges in the Thursday shooting of two teens, which killed one and injured another in the Douglass Park neighborhood of Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune reported charges in the Thursday night shooting in the 1400 block of South Sacramento Drive. Charles Leto, 55, of the Lakeview neighborhood, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery and discharge of a firearm. The shooting had killed a 15-year-old boy and seriously injured a 14-year-old boy.

The injured 14-year-old is the cousin of Laquan McDonald, who Chicago Police fatally shot in 2014, ABC7 reported.

Leto said he acted in self-defense due to the teens' attack, according to a police report shared by the Chicago Tribune.

ABC7 reported that the lifeguard was in a dispute with the teens under suspicion that they would steal his bike. Witness information indicated that the teens went up to the man, who was repairing his bicycle, according to the Chicago Tribune. The man then got a gun out of a backpack and fired two gunshots, one of which hit the 15-year-old fatally in the back. The 14-year-old was struck in the neck and is battling critical injuries in the hospital.

Police believe Leto had a concealed carry license. A hearing is expected on Sunday.