Man Charged With Murder, Arson In Fire That Killed Two Boys
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A 61-year-old man has been charged with murder, for allegedly setting a fire that killed two boys in Kankakee earlier this month.
Alex Sawyer has been charged with two counts of murder and eight counts of aggravated arson, according to the Kankakee Fire Department. Officials alleged he set fire to an apartment building in the 800 block of West Station Street on April 13 as an act of revenge.
Sawyer used to live in the building and did not receive his security deposit when he left, sources said. He is currently homeless and suffers from mental issues and slashed the tires on cars the night before the fire, police said.
"The Kankakee Fire Department would like to thank the Kankakee Police Department, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Illinois State Police, and the Kankakee County State's Attorney's Office for their efforts in solving this case," the fire department said in a news release Tuesday morning.
Jushaun Watson, 2, and Justice Stewart, 4, suffered severe burns in the blaze, which started around 1:45 a.m. on April 13 in a rear stairwell of the building. Justice died two days after the fire. Jushaun died four days after the blaze.
Five other people who live in the building also were injured, and three firefighters were hurt while putting out the blaze.
