On June 26, 2025 my brother Charlie (known as "Chuck" to virtually everyone outside our family) had his life altered forever.

As he was finishing his shift as managing lifeguard at Douglass Park pool in South Chicago, a group of teens approached him; after threatening him all day, then stealing and damaging his bicycle. As he was on the ground on his knees trying to repair his bike, three of them circled around him, one of them reaching into a bag while shouting threatening remarks at Charlie and then stepping toward him. Charlie, fearing for his life and a licensed carry/conceal gun holder, grabbed his gun out of his own bag and shot at the teens to defend himself. Two were hit; one died on seen. Charlie was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. The case is going to trial.

Charlie is a decorated Marine Corps veteran who proudly served two active-duty tours in the Gulf War. He has served in the Marine Corps Reserves and Illinois National Guard for decades; including opting to take an active role with the National Guard throughout the pandemic to help with medical distribution.

He retired from the finance industry early in life and was living a simple life in Chicago. A long-time swimmer and lifeguard, he took a job with the Park District and volunteered to take the summer shifts at Douglass Park because the Park District has a very difficult time keeping lifeguards there. Charlie had hoped his military training in conflict resolution would allow him to be successful in the role where others had not been. The prosecution (and media) is trying to frame him as impulsive and unsafe to the community. However, Charlie's military training involves a series of tactical thought processes that most non-military folks are not aware of. His decision was rooted in strategic decision making when a threat is present.

Charlie has been in custody since June 26, 2005. He was fired from the Park District so does not have an income. Maintaining his apartment is VERY important to his pretrial release, as they will not release him to "the street" (with no address), and we have no family in Illinois. Any assistance you are able to provide to help us pay for his lease, commissary items (which buys him basic clothing, toiletries, etc.), and communication (EVERY communication with the outside world costs money) is GREATLY appreciated.