A 23-year-old Chicago man, Lontray Clark, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of aggravated arson, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of residential arson in connection with a deadly apartment fire that killed four people — including a pregnant woman and her 5-year-old son.
According to Cook County prosecutors, Clark set the fire after discovering that his ex-girlfriend was staying the night at a friend’s apartment — a friend he later learned she was dating. Clark allegedly saw a Snapchat selfie posted from the location, which reportedly triggered the attack.
Just after midnight on June 26, Clark and his cousin allegedly drove to a nearby gas station, filled an antifreeze container with gasoline, and then went to the apartment complex, where his ex and her new boyfriend were spending the night.
Surveillance footage cited by prosecutors reportedly shows Clark parking in an alley behind the building. At around 1:23 a.m., he is seen running back to the car, which was being driven by his cousin. Prosecutors say they then drove to Clark’s grandfather’s house, where he discarded his clothes.
Clark’s ex-girlfriend and her new partner managed to escape the apartment, but the fire quickly spread throughout the building, leading to multiple fatalities and injuries.
Victims of the Fire
The fire claimed the lives of:
- Brad Cummings, 76
- Regina Henry, 32, who was three months pregnant
- Jayceon Henry, 5, Regina’s son
- Destiny Henry, 28, Regina’s sister
Firefighters discovered Cummings, Regina, and Jayceon during rescue efforts, but they later died at a local hospital. Destiny was found deceased in the building the following day.
Four other people were hospitalized, including Destiny’s 4-year-old son Kyle, who remains in critical condition.
Family members say Destiny initially escaped the fire but ran back inside searching for her son, unaware that he had already made it out.
“If my cousin would’ve known that her son was already out of the window, she probably would still be here right now,” Destiny’s relative Latyra Goodman told ABC7. “We just ask you all to please keep the family in your prayers.”
Legal Proceedings
During Clark’s first court appearance, the judge ordered him to remain in custody, describing his actions as showing a “brazen disregard for life.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Support is free, confidential, and offered 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
