Extensive fire damage to 2nd floor of Oak Knoll apartment where 3 children died
$5,000 reward offered in Oak Knoll arson
Contributed By:The 411 News
Gary Police and ATF seek information on fire that killed 3 children
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with the Gary Police Department are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the arson fire that resulted in the deaths of Jayden Mitchell, age 5, Alaya Pickens, age 4, and Yaleh Cohen, age 2, at the Oak Knoll Apartment Complex, 4200 W. 23rd Court, in Gary.
On December 23, 2016, at approximately 11 p.m., the Gary Fire Department and Gary Police Department responded to an apartment fire at Oak Knoll Apartment Complex and discovered an apartment fully engulfed in flames and that three small children were trapped on the second floor. After the fire was extinguished, the children were located and each unfortunately, perished in the fire.
The investigation conducted by the Gary Fire Department, the Gary Police Department, the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office, and ATF concluded that the fire was started by an accelerant and has been ruled an arson.
“This was a senseless act and the individual(s) responsible need to be apprehended and held accountable,” said Celinez Nunez, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Chicago Field Division.
“We are asking the community for help in solving this case in which three innocent children died,” stated Gary Police Chief Larry McKinley.
Anyone with information is asked to call the ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS or the Lake/Metro Homicide Unit at (219) 755-3852 or the Crime Tip Line at 866-CRIME-GP. Callers may remain anonymous.
Story Posted:04/19/2017
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