Community offers $7,500 reward for information in deadly West Side fire
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A group of community and faith leaders is offering a reward of at least $7,500 for information leading to an arrest in a deadly fire in Chicago's Austin neighborhood two weeks ago.
"We're sad. We're in pain. We're angry. We're frustrated. We're confused. We're asking, why?" said Rev. George Smith, Jr. of Justice is on the Agenda.
Police are still looking for the person who started the fire at the apartment building in the 5200 block of North Avenue, which killed four people. Rev. Smith's cousins Gina Henry, 32; Destiny Henry, 28; and Gina's son Jayceon Henry, 5, all died. They lived in an apartment on the third floor.
"They were beautiful," he said. "You know, just gone too soon."
Brad Cummings, the 76-year-old editor of The Voice newspapers, also died. Chicago police said from the beginning it was intentionally set, and an arson investigation has been ongoing.
"The monster who did this will be brought to justice," Smith said.
Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) said detectives know who they are looking for, but no arrest has been made as of Tuesday morning.
The fire broke out just before 2 a.m. on June 26. Witnesses said someone threw a Molotov cocktail through the window of the building.
Investigators said they believe the fire was started during or after a domestic incident, though they have not said who was involved.
It's been nearly two weeks without an arrest, and Smith said he's leaning on his faith to bring his family justice.
"We're sad. We're in pain. We're angry. We're frustrated. We're confused. We're asking why?" he said. "We're banding together. You know, we're banding together."
