The Austin neighborhood on Chicago's West Side is still reeling from a deadly fire last month that claimed the lives of four people. The suspect, 23-year-old Lontray Clark, is now facing multiple charges, including murder and arson, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and confirmed by CBS News Chicago. Clark is accused of starting the fire by throwing Molotov cocktails into a three-story apartment building on June 26, following what police and local Alderman Emma Mitts described as a "domestic violence" altercation with a girlfriend or ex-girlfriend.
Clark was arrested downstate in Springfield on Wednesday and has been charged with an expansive list of felonies: eight counts of murder, four counts of aggravated arson, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of residential arson. The Sun-Times indicated that he is due to appear in court for a detention hearing on Saturday. Authorities believe that the act was intended to harm; however, the consequences tragically rippled through the apartment building, executing to leave at least three others injured, with at least 28 people displaced from their homes.
The blaze resulted in heartbreaking fatalities: Jayceon Henry, a 5-year-old boy; his mother, Regina Brown Henry, who was three months pregnant; and Regina's sister, Destiny Brown Henry. Also among the deceased was Brad Cummings, a 76-year-old editor for The Voice Newspapers, who was heavily involved in the community. "Brad was someone who loved to work with folks," Ald. Mitts told the Sun-Times. "He loved doing things in the community. He was a very hard worker."
Furthermore, Destiny Brown Henry's cousin, Latyra Goodman, told CBS News Chicago that Regina Henry had not known her 4-year-old son, Kyle, had been dropped out of a window before she tragically re-entered the burning building to presumably save him. "If my cousin knew her son was already out of the window, she would have been here right now," Goodman said. The Henry family had offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest before Clark's capture.
Clark's arrest brought some solace to the grieving community. "I'm very happy that they did apprehend someone responsible for this, and justice will be served," Rev. George Smith Jr., cousin of the Henry family and pastor at Greater St. John Bible Church, told the Sun-Times. "It’s a moment that needs to be remembered because he took something away from us that was so precious to us."
