Chicago — A shooting at Douglass Park on the West Side left one teenager dead and another hospitalized, sparking outrage and calls for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The alleged shooter, a 55-year-old man, claims he was acting in self-defense when he opened fire on the two boys, both of whom were unarmed at the time.
According to police reports, the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. when the gunman approached the two teens, aged 15 and 14, and fired multiple rounds. The older boy, identified as Marjay Dotson, sustained a gunshot wound to his back and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital. The younger boy, labeled Jeremy Herred, was shot in the neck and remains in critical condition, with concerns he may suffer long-term neurological damage.
Attorney Jeff Neslund, representing the victims’ families, suggested that prosecutors should consider hate crime charges against the shooter, who is white. He pointed out the racial dynamics at play and emphasized that a serious investigation is warranted given the circumstances. “The background and motivation of the shooter should be examined closely,” he asserted.
When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they found the shooter kneeling with a firearm beside him. He reportedly told the officers he was “defending” himself against an attack from the teenagers. A witness stated she observed the man retrieving the weapon from his bag before the shooting occurred. Neslund contested the shooter’s account, stating there was no confrontation and that Jeremy was far from the scene when the shots were fired.
Following the tragic event, the Chicago Park District announced the closure of the Douglass Park pool out of respect for the victims and the community. Spokesperson Michele Lemons expressed the district’s sadness and confirmed that the accused shooter was an employee, prompting an internal review to assess the events leading to the incident.
Community members are expressing concern about the safety of their children at the park. Monique Almore, a resident whose daughter attends camp there, voiced her apprehension about the continued employment of the alleged gunman, given his role as a lifeguard. “It’s an unfortunate situation,” she said, adding that parents are now left wondering about the safety of their children.
Renita Hampton, another local resident, described the park as a previously safe environment for her children. She acknowledged the regular communication between park staff and parents but raised questions about the ongoing safety measures in light of the shooting. “My kids have been safe here for years,” she remarked, but the recent violence has unsettled many families in the area.
As detectives from Area 4 continue their investigation, the community remains in shock and grapples with the fallout from this devastating event. Local leaders and residents alike are calling for accountability and a thorough examination of the safety protocols within the Chicago Park District.