FIRE THAT KILLED 90- YEAR- OLD COUPLE STARTED IN 2 LOCATIONS, SOURCE SAYS
A fire that took the lives of an elderly couple in their West Garfield Park two- flat this week appears to have started in two locations on the property, a source told the Sun- Times Wednesday.
Lewis and Aldonia White, both 90, died when fire swept through the home they’d shared for decades in the 4000 block of West Wilcox.
On Tuesday, fire officials hinted the fire might not have been accidental. Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said that was based on “the evidence that was found,” without elaborating. Another fire official said it was “unusual” that Aldonia White was found slumped in a chair, rather than attempting to flee.
Langford went further Wednesday: “The Office of Fire Investigation has determined that this fire is not consistent with a singlepoint origin accidental fire.”
The couple’s caregiver and a family member told the Sun- Times Tuesday that they had no reason to suspect the Whites might have been in any danger.
Fire officials have said there were no working smoke alarms in the building.
Stefano Esposito
5 charged after stolen vehicles stopped on Ike
Five people were charged after two stolen cars were pulled over Tuesday on the Eisenhower Expy., stalling traffic.
The ramp from First Avenue to inbound Interstate 290 and two lanes of the inbound expressway were closed about 4: 50 p. m. while suburban police officers conducted a traffic stop, according to Illinois State Police. Officers with the Maywood and Bellwood police departments conducted the traffic stop, and several people were taken into custody. Four men and a 15- year- old boy were arrested and charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass to a vehicle.
Sun- Times Wire
Police: Man, woman shot to death in N. Lawndale
A man and woman were fatally shot Wednesday morning in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side, police said.
Officers responded to a call of shots fired about 8: 56 a. m. in the 1400 block of South Kenneth, where they found two unresponsive people with gunshot wounds, according to Chicago Police.
The woman, thought to be in her 50s, was found inside the home, while the 61- yearold man was found just outside the home, police said. They were both pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not release details.
David Struett
Suspect in custody in N. W. Side home invasion
Police said Wednesday that a person of interest was in custody in connection with a home invasion that ended in a gunman fatally shooting his accomplice in the Raven- swood neighborhood.
The incident happened about 9: 50 p. m. Jan. 30 in the 2400 block of West Eastwood, just south of Lincoln Square. It resulted in one of the suspects fatally shooting the other from the front porch after a struggle with the home’s occupants, according to Chicago Police.
Charges were pending Wednesday, police said.
Mitch Dudek, Tom Schuba
Indiana trooper’s cars, home hit by drive- by gunfire
An Indiana State Trooper woke up Wednesday morning in Merrillville, Indiana, and found his police car, personal car and home hit by gunfire, according to Indiana State Police.
No one was hurt. Investigators were seeking tips about what appeared to be a drive- by shooting with a semi- automatic weapon about 4: 19 a. m., police said. Anyone with information can call Det. Brian McCall at ( 219) 696- 6242.