DOUGLASS PARK — The household of a 14-year-old boy who was severely wounded after being shot by a lifeguard outdoors a West Facet pool is looking for the incident — which additionally left a 15-year-old boy lifeless — to be investigated as a hate crime.
The wounded 14-year-old, recognized by relations as Jeremy Herred, is a sophomore at UIC Faculty Prep and was leaving the Douglass Park pool along with his pal when a lifeguard opened fireplace, mentioned Jeff Neslund, an lawyer for Herred’s household.
The kids have been leaving the pool round 7 p.m. Thursday within the 1400 block of South Sacramento Drive when a person approached them and opened fireplace, police mentioned. Each boys have been taken to Stroger Hospital, the place the youthful sufferer was listed in critical situation and the 15-year-old, recognized by the Cook dinner County Medical Examiner’s Workplace as Marjay Dotson, died from his accidents.
Neslund mentioned Herred stays within the intensive care unit after struggling a gunshot wound to his neck. Medical doctors haven’t dominated out mind injury, he mentioned.
Citing a police report, the Solar-Occasions reported the shooter is a Park District lifeguard and he believed the teenagers have been making an attempt to steal his bicycle when he opened fireplace in self protection. Park District spokeswoman Michele Lemons confirmed to Block Membership the shooter is an worker.
However Herred’s household believes the incident was a hate crime, Neslund mentioned.
“We’re calling for justice for Jeremy and absolutely anticipate the State’s Legal professional’s Workplace and maybe the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace to try this,” Neslund mentioned, noting the lifeguard was “a white male shooter and two younger African-American victims, given the circumstances and neighborhood the place it happened.”
“There’s completely no justification ever to shoot somebody within the again, not to mention a toddler, as they’re exiting out a pool in a public place,” Neslund mentioned.
Herred is a cousin of Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old murdered in 2014 by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke in Archer Heights, McDonald’s household confirmed to Block Membership. McDonald’s killing sparking nationwide outrage, protests, accusations of a police cover-up and the next firing of 4 different officers concerned, and requires then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign.
Based on his web site, Neslund additionally represented McDonald’s household in litigation leading to a $5 million settlement with town.
The Douglass Park pool was closed Friday as a result of capturing, and disaster assist was obtainable to employees and residents, in response to an announcement from the Chicago Park District.
The Park District mentioned it was cooperating with the Chicago Police Division’s investigation. It additionally mentioned it “initiated an intensive inner assessment to grasp what occurred main as much as yesterday’s capturing and determine acceptable motion.”
Douglass Park Fieldhouse will stay open for regular working hours Friday, with all applications to be held as scheduled, in response to the Park District. There might be extra safety all through the park.
No prices have been introduced and Space 4 detectives are investigating.
Take heed to the Block Membership Chicago podcast:
Associated
