CHICAGO, IL - Authorities said that a man is facing several charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated arson, after he allegedly set an apartment building on fire and killed four people.
A pregnant mother and her five-year-old son were among those who were killed, according to Local12. The incident happened on June 26th when 23-year-old Lontray Clark allegedly started a fire after discovering that a friend was dating his ex-girlfriend.
During Clark's court appearance, prosecutors revealed that text messages showed Clark confronting his ex-girlfriend for posting a photo on Snapchat with the friend. Clark allegedly went over to the friend's building after seeing the picture, Law & Crime reported.
"They had been arguing earlier and, the next thing you know, he was there at the building throwing a Molotov cocktail in the front, then one at the back door," West Side Alderwoman Emma Mitts said. "He threw the first one, then another one. So, they were trapped. They never had a chance."
The four people who died in the fire were not connected to Clark or his friend, according to prosecutors. They have been identified as Bran Cummings, 76, who is the editor of the Austin-based newspaper The Voice; Destiny Henry, 28, Regina Henry, 32; and her son Jayceon Henry. Destiny was Regina's sister.
Authorities said that Clark, after seeing the photo, picked up a cousin and went to a gas station to fill an anti-freeze bottle with gasoline, which was then used to create a Molotov cocktail. The pair allegedly purchased black clothing, a face mask, and a lighter before heading to the apartment building.
Officials said that the cousin later confessed to police, admitting that Clark started the fire and told him, "I just lit the house on fire." Clark's public defender argued that there is no surveillance video of Clark committing the alleged crimes.
The intended targets, the girlfriend and friend, managed to escape through a window. In total, it is estimated that 140 firefighters responded to the scene. "It's something that could have been avoided," Mitts said. "I don't know what goes through people's head. They should be locked up and the key thrown away behind all of that."
