Jealous Rage Leads to Multiple Murders and Arson Charges for 23-Year-Old Man
A 23-year-old man is facing a slew of charges, including multiple counts of murder and arson, after allegedly setting fire to a West Side apartment building in a jealous rage. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including a 5-year-old boy, his pregnant mother, her sister, and a respected newspaper editor.
Lontray Clark, the accused, is said to have meticulously planned the arson attack after discovering a Snapchat post hinting that his ex-girlfriend was spending time with one of his friends. On the fateful morning of June 26, Clark reportedly purchased gasoline, a mask, and a black shirt before igniting the three-story apartment building located in the 5200 block of West North Avenue in the Austin neighborhood.
Immediately after seeing the Snapchat post, Clark enlisted the help of his cousin and proceeded to a gas station around 12:20 a.m. There, he acquired gasoline, clothing, and a lighter from a convenience store before heading towards his ex-girlfriend’s residence. Surveillance footage captured Clark parking in an alley and approaching the building with the gasoline in hand.
Upon returning to the car, Clark allegedly confessed to his cousin, stating, “I lit they house on fire.” Following the heinous act, he showered, changed clothes, and drove his cousin back home. Thankfully, his ex-girlfriend and her new partner managed to escape through a window, while firefighters rescued several other residents. Investigations revealed that fires had been intentionally set in multiple locations within the building.
The devastating blaze claimed the lives of 76-year-old newspaper editor Brad Cummings, 32-year-old Regina Henry (who was three months pregnant), her 5-year-old son Jayceon Henry, and her 27-year-old sister, Destiny Henry.
During a court hearing, Judge Shauna Boliker ordered Clark to be detained pending trial on a litany of charges, including 12 counts of murder, four counts of aggravated arson, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of residential arson.
