CHICAGO — The lawyer representing the families of two Black teens shot at Douglass Park last week is demanding that prosecutors file hate crime charges against the alleged shooter — a Chicago Park District employee who reportedly targeted the teens with racial slurs before opening fire.
The shooting, which occurred at the Douglass Park pool near 15th Place and Albany Avenue, left 15-year-old Reginald Green Jr. dead and injured 16-year-old Carlos Bledsoe, who is reportedly the cousin of Laquan McDonald, the teen whose 2014 police shooting sparked national outrage.
Suspect Accused of Using Racial Slurs Before Shooting
According to a CBS Chicago report, the shooter — identified as Emmanuel Smith, 43 — allegedly used the N-word and other derogatory language before fatally shooting Green and wounding Bledsoe.
Attorney Andrew M. Stroth, who is representing both families, has called on the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to elevate the charges beyond first-degree murder.
“If someone kills a Black child after calling him a racial slur, that is a hate crime,” Stroth said during a press conference Tuesday. “This community deserves justice that reflects the full impact of what happened.”
Currently, Smith faces first-degree murder and attempted murder charges. Prosecutors have not commented on whether hate crime enhancements will be added.
A Community Demands Accountability
The shooting shocked the North Lawndale community, where residents have long complained of under-resourced parks and youth spaces. Green and Bledsoe were reportedly attending a pool party organized for teens when the argument and subsequent violence unfolded.
Witnesses say Smith got into a verbal altercation with the teens before retrieving a firearm from a vehicle and firing multiple shots.
“They were just kids trying to enjoy the summer,” said Monique Davis, a family friend. “Now one is dead, and another is traumatized for life.”
A Troubling Pattern in Park Oversight
The Chicago Park District has placed Smith on immediate administrative leave and issued a statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families. However, critics say the district must also examine its hiring, supervision, and safety protocols.
Community leaders are now pressing the city to:
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Conduct a full review of Park District employee conduct policies
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Require mandatory de-escalation and anti-bias training for staff
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Increase on-site security and youth support programs at city pools and parks
Hate Crime Charges in Illinois: What It Means
Under Illinois law, a hate crime occurs when a person commits a criminal offense motivated by bias against someone’s race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected class.
If the Cook County State’s Attorney upgrades Smith’s charges to include a hate crime, it could:
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Increase the potential sentencing range
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Send a stronger message of zero tolerance for bias-motivated violence
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Spark broader conversations around racism and youth safety in public spaces
Families Plan Civil Action, Public Rally
In addition to the criminal case, Stroth confirmed that the families plan to file a civil lawsuit against the city and Park District. They are also organizing a community rally this weekend to honor Reginald Green’s life and demand accountability.
“Our children have a right to be safe in public parks,” Stroth said. “This was not just violence — this was violence with hate.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to support funeral costs and trauma recovery for the Green and Bledsoe families.
Do you believe Chicago is doing enough to protect young people at public parks and pools? Share your thoughts or community experiences at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
