Teen allegedly shot by lifeguard paralyzed, on ventilator; family ‘grateful’ for progress

CHICAGO (WLS) - More than three months after he was shot in the neck and paralyzed, a Chicago teenager will move from a hospital to a rehabilitation facility as his recovery continues.

Jeremy Herred Jr., 15, has been in the hospital for more than three months. The teenager, who would be a high school sophomore, is paralyzed and uses a ventilator after being shot in the neck. The bullet hit an artery and his C4 vertebra.

“He’s been in the same bed literally for 102 days,” said Jeremy’s father, Jeremy Herred Sr. “It still ain’t what we knew him before the situation, but we’re grateful for the progress so far.”

Jeremy, then 14, was at Douglass Park pool on June 26 with friends when he and 15-year-old Marjay Dotson were shot. Dotson died from his injuries.

Charles Leto, a former lifeguard with the Chicago Park District, is in custody, charged with murder and attempted murder in relation to the shooting. He has pleaded not guilty and has said he was defending himself, claiming the teens attacked him and tried to steal his bike.

Soon, Jeremy is expected to leave the hospital and move to a rehab facility. His classmates were excused from school Monday for a special visit with him.

“It felt kind of good because he looked better and seemed better than when it first happened,” Quinton Goins said.

“It was nice. He looked way better than how he was in the beginning,” Rashiya Hood said.

For now, Jeremy’s parents say the family has been on hold, with plans for this time in their lives dramatically altered.

“Just taking it day by day. Still a long road ahead, but we’ll take this for now,” Jeremy’s father said.

Following the shooting, the park district says it has expanded a program to increase cultural representation among its aquatics workforce.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Herred and Dotson families while the Park District continues to support the prosecution of Charles Leto to the fullest extent of the law,” said the park district in a statement.

Leto is due in court next week.