On the evening of June 26, 2025, a devastating act of violence occurred at Douglass Park when former ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ lifeguard Charles Leto fatally shot 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and seriously injured 14-year-old Jeremy Herred. This unthinkable tragedy has shaken the Park District to its core and profoundly impacted the North Lawndale community, our staff, and the families of those harmed. Park District leadership strongly supports the prosecution of Leto and remains committed to pursuing justice for the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy.
As we continue to grieve with the victims and those who loved them, the Park District immediately launched a comprehensive internal review to understand what happened, identify any systemic failures, and chart a clear path toward a safer and more accountable future. The review was initiated by General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and led by the Park District’s Law Department. It was guided by three key principles: thoroughness, transparency, and accountability.
The review was initiated the day after the shooting and spanned two weeks. It included a comprehensive review of documents including emails, incident reports, text messages, personnel records, and numerous employee interviews. Though some interviews remain ongoing, and General Superintendent and CEO Ramirez-Rosa emailed all Park District employees requesting that anyone with additi