�첥��Ƶ

CHICAGO — Today, the �첥��Ƶ released the findings of its internal review following the tragic June 26 shooting at Douglass Park, where former Park District lifeguard Charles Leto fatally shot 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and critically injured 14-year-old Jeremy Herred. The Park District has stated its full support for the prosecution of Charles Leto for this heinous and unforgivable act of violence.

The internal review, launched the day after the incident, identified gaps in employee oversight, communication, and documentation. In response, the Park District is advancing a series of systemic reforms to improve safety, strengthen accountability, and support staff and community healing.

“This was a horrific and heartbreaking act of violence. Nothing can bring Marjay back or undo the pain caused to Jeremy and their families, but we must act with urgency and integrity to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again,” said General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Our internal review was guided by three principles: thoroughness, transparency, and accountability. We are sharing our findings with the families, the public, and our Board because our communities deserve to know the truth and see how we’re responding.”

Key Findings

• Charles Leto passed all required background checks. The February 2023 incident in which he shot two dogs did not result in arrest or charges and therefore was not known to the Park District during his hiring process.
• Leto was involved in several verbal altercations with staff and patrons. These incidents were managed at the local level through oral redirection and were not formally documented or tracked in the central personnel system.
• On June 27, one day after the shooting, the Park District placed Leto on emergency unpaid suspension. He resigned in lieu of termination and has been placed on the Park District's Ineligible for Rehire list.
• Leto did not express any safety-related concerns in the days leading up to the June 26 shooting.

The review drew on employee interviews and a thorough examination of personnel files, incident reports, emails, and text messages. To date, the Park District’s review has not identified a specific warning that Leto would commit such a violent act. However, the review revealed significant weaknesses in documenting employee conduct, escalating concerns, and ensuring staff were supported and held accountable.

Reforms in Progress

Informed by the internal review, General Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa has directed the Park District to move forward with the following reform efforts:

• Permanent Security Presence at Douglass Park. A fixed-post security officer is now assigned to Douglass Park. The District is also reassessing its broader security staffing model to identify how to provide consistent and community-oriented coverage citywide.
• Assess Park Security Camera System. The Park District is now working to assess its current security camera system and use.
• Expanded Safety Training and Policy Awareness. The Park District is working to develop new training programs for staff focused on de-escalation, mental health response, trauma-informed care, and active threat scenarios. Updated signage reinforcing the prohibition of firearms on park property will be installed in English and Spanish.
• Stronger Oversight and Disciplinary Tracking. Efforts are underway to centralize the tracking of verbal warnings, coaching, and patron complaints to better detect behavioral patterns and ensure consistent follow-up. Supervisors will receive enhanced training to help them respond appropriately and escalate issues when necessary.
• Community-Led Safety Planning. The Park District will work to develop a localized Douglass Park Safety Plan in collaboration with staff, residents, and community partners. This model will guide similar safety planning efforts at other parks across the city.
• Continued Workforce Diversification through the Lifeguard Explorers Program. The District is working to expand its Lifeguard Explorers Program to recruit and train youth from underrepresented communities. This year-round, stipend-supported initiative aims to grow a more diverse, skilled, and trusted aquatics workforce.
• Improved Cultural Competency and Employee Support. The Park District is preparing new resources and training to help staff build stronger connections with the communities they serve. Supervisors will be supported in recognizing signs of employee distress and connecting staff with appropriate services. Employees are encouraged to report concerns, and all reports are taken seriously.

Report Posted Online, Public Feedback Encouraged

As part of its commitment to transparency, the �첥��Ƶ has posted a public summary of the review along with key supporting documents. They can be viewed on the Park District website.

The Park District invites all community members, patrons, and stakeholders to review these documents and share feedback or provide information that could assist with ongoing internal review and improvements to LCA@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

A Continued Commitment to Justice and Healing

The internal review findings and recommendations have been shared with the Park District Board of Commissioners, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and key stakeholders. The Park District remains committed to transparency, healing, and long-term accountability.

“Our work will not stop here,” said Ramirez-Rosa. “We owe it to Marjay, to Jeremy, to their families, and to every person who visits our parks to move forward with transparency, urgency, and care. We are committed to leaving no stone unturned and doing everything in our power to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again.”

Community members with information relevant to the review are encouraged to contact the Office of Prevention and Accountability. Reports may be submitted anonymously.

Phone: 312.742.5672
Email: OPA@chicagoparkdistrict.com
Online: