Family and loved ones of the four victims killed in last week’s fatal fire in Austin pleaded Sunday for the person responsible for the suspected arson to surrender to authorities, saying “we are suffering enough.”
The Leaders Network, a West Side coalition of faith and community leaders, announced a $5,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest and conviction connected to the fire, which occurred just before 2 a.m. Thursday at 5220 W. North Ave.
“These family members had no way out. Just looking upstairs at the devastation and just thinking of their last moments, this was an act of terror, and the killers who did this have forfeited their right to continue to walk among us here on North Avenue and the Austin community, the West Side and any part of Chicago,” said David Cherry, president of the Leaders Network.
The victims were identified by family members as Destiny Brown Henry, 28; Gina Brown Henry, 32; and Jayceon Henry, 5. Brad Cummings, 76, an editor for The Voice Newspapers, also died in the fire, according to neighbors. At least three others were hospitalized, including a 4-year-old boy, and 28 people were left without a home.
“Their loved ones were not just victims. They were vibrant souls, mothers, children, families whose lives were violently snatched away in the stillness of the night,” said the Rev. Ira Acree, of Greater St. John Bible Church and co-chair of the Leaders Network. He called the attack an act of terrorism and a “devilish assault on innocent lives.”
Three of the victims killed in the fire were cousins of the Rev. George Smith Jr.
The Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church, and a coalition of West Side faith and political leaders, announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Thursday’s fatal fire at a mixed-use building in Austin that left four people dead and many others without a place to live.
Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times
“My family is sad,” Smith said. “They’re hurt, they’re in pain, they’re confused about why something like this would happen to them. My family has been in this community for many years, and my cousins do not deserve this. We trust God … but we are frustrated. We want justice to come to my family.”
West Side Ald. Emma Mitts (37th) previously told the Sun-Times that the fire was triggered by Molotov cocktails allegedly thrown by a “young man” who was in the midst of an apparent jealous rage toward his “girlfriend or ex-girlfriend.”
Chicago police have not disclosed details about why foul play was suspected in the fire. A police spokesperson said Sunday that no arrests have been made and there were no other updates in the investigation.
Mitts had said the fire left residents trapped inside the three-story building, forcing them to jump from windows.
The 66-year-old mother of one of the fatal victims remained hospitalized Sunday after suffering broken pelvic and hip bones from jumping from a third-floor window. Her grandson also was still hospitalized, said the Rev. Leon White of Joshua Baptist Church, who has known the family for many years.
“I just pray that some type of comfort is brought to this family,” White said. “A mother is in the hospital right now, not knowing what really took place, not knowing if her daughters made it out alright.”
Firefighters removed the roof of the building as they searched for the fourth victim, who was found Friday.
Mitts, who was at the scene during the search, said “it took a lot” out of her to watch the firefighters removing debris from the building and “thinking they were gonna pull a body out.”
“Every time they would pull that bucket down, my heart would drop,” Mitts said.
Neighbors said Cummings was beloved by the community and was devoted to making the neighborhood better.
“Brad Cummings was the voice of Austin,” said Patty Ringo, a friend. “He advocated diligently, oftentimes not being rewarded for what he did, but yet he had a heart for this community.
“And we cannot just stand by and allow these types of things to happen and not speak up, so I beg the person who did this to please give yourself up. We are suffering enough. You are adding to it by hiding, and you gotta come out.”