Initial reports indicated in addition to the explosion, a baby was shot in a second floor apartment in the same building. However, sources confirmed the child was not shot, but injured in the explosion.
When officers arrived at 723 North Central Avenue, flames were shooting from the building and frantic tenants were jumping from the windows. “They’re getting out of this building any way they can,” said an officer at the scene.
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| Bomb explodes at 723 N. Central Ave. Photo: Google Earth. |
Eventually, police and fire crews successfully rescued everyone from the burning building.
Police said the so-called “bomber” was in the apartment with the 6-month-old baby and the child’s mother, when the explosive device was detonated.
The man allegedly responsible for the explosion is an African-American man, who fled the scene in a silver or gray KIA with temporary tags.
He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt and his hair is styled in dreadlocks. Police said the offender was probably injured in the blast.
At 9:43 p.m., police apprehended a man in a silver KIA on the 5900 block of West Ohio Avenue. The man was injured and covered in blood, said investigators.
The injured child and her mom, were treated at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. The child's injuries were non-life-threatening, said police.
At last count, an estimated fifty people were displaced by the explosion and subsequent fire.
UPDATE: At 9:57 p.m., the injured baby's condition was downgraded to critical. The child is being transported from West Suburban Hospital to Children's Memorial.
The offender, who was arrested by police, was taken to Loretto Hospital, and is reportedly combative. Officers were looking for shackles to restrain him.
This is tragic. They are now saying it might have been fireworks...must have been some huge firecrackers for sure.
ReplyDeleteI hope these residents will be ok.
Someone at the scene said the offender lit a M-80. There was a baby in the room. What is wrong people?
ReplyDeleteThis "bombing" occurred in the Austin Community.
ReplyDeleteA West Side man was ordered held without bail Wednesday on charges he started an explosive fire that left his 6-month-old daughter with severe brain injuries.
ReplyDeleteMonday night’s blaze spread through the second floor of Johnell Walker’s apartment building after he lit a coconut-sized incendiary device during an argument with his girlfriend,
Note the "coconut-size"..this man meant to do serious harm.
I am a resident of this building and what he lit was meant to do more than just harm anyone within range of it. I am beyond pissed at the carelessness he and his girlfriend have for human life including their daughter! Needless God don't like ugly and one way or another the female who rented the apartment will know what the rest of us are going through!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, do you know if the baby is still in the hospital? By the way, I am glad you weren't injured.
ReplyDelete