In a tragic turn of events this week, a 27-year-old man from Chicago has been charged with both murder and arson following the death of a Chicago firefighter. Authorities have identified the suspect as Sheaves Slate, who now faces serious legal repercussions in connection with the incident.
The charges stem from a fire that claimed the life of 32-year-old firefighter Michael Altman. The fire occurred at an apartment building located in the 1700-block of West North Shore Avenue in the Rogers Park neighborhood. During the firefighting efforts, Altman fell through the floor, sustaining fatal injuries. He succumbed to these injuries the following day, on Tuesday.
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Slate was apprehended by police on Wednesday in the 800-block of West Irving Park Road. The arrest followed a swift investigation that linked him to the devastating fire. Further probing by the ABC7 I-Team has uncovered that Slate has a past marked by drug-related issues and charges of retail theft, painting a picture of a troubled history.
The ABC7 I-Team has learned the suspect has a history of drug and retail theft charges.
Altman fell through the floor at the Rogers Park apartment building fire Monday in the 1700-block of West North Shore Avenue.
He died from his injuries Tuesday.
“On behalf of the Chicago Police Department, our deepest condolences are with the family of Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman and the entire Chicago Fire Department. The loss of Firefighter Altman, who was a hero until the very end, is a profound loss for those who knew him and our entire city. Thank you to every firefighter, police officer and detective who responded to the fire and worked to bring a swift resolution in this investigation. We also want to thank our partners at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the ATF Chicago Field Division for their partnership in this case. Although we are proud of the tremendous work done to hold this offender accountable, we ask that the focus not be on who is responsible for Firefighter Altman’s death, but rather on his heroic life and his loved ones who will live with this grief forever. We will stand alongside our brothers and sisters at CFD as they carry on the legacy of a beloved father, husband, son and brother,” CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a statement.
“This has been an incredibly difficult week for the family of Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman and our family here at the Chicago Fire Department. We are thankful for all the support we have received as we continue to support the Altman family and prepare to lay our hero to rest. We are immensely grateful for the tireless and collaborative efforts of the Chicago Police Department, Area 3 Detectives, Arson Detectives, the Chicago Fire Department’s Office of Fire Investigation, the ATF Chicago office, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Chicago Buildings Department for their outstanding work on this case and in bringing accountability to this tragic incident. Through their diligence an individual has been charged with first-degree murder. While no outcome can undo the devastating loss the Altman family, his CFD family, friends and the city have suffered, this development is an important step toward justice. Firefighter Altman was a hero each time he put on the CFD uniform and each time he ran toward a fire to save lives. He was also a hero to his family, including his wife Nora, who is expecting their second child soon, and their young son. It is heartbreaking to know these children will now grow up without their father, but we promise to always be there for them and remind them that they are surrounded by their family here at the fire department,” CFD Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said in a statement.
Slate is due in court Saturday.
Altman’s body was taken to a south suburban funeral home Friday morning.
Hundreds lined South Side streets to honor and salute the Chicago hero during a procession from the medical examiner’s office to Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn.
Altman was a soon-to-be father of two.
He was a fourth-generation CFD firefighter.
“My brother, he was a firefighter. I have a niece, who was a firefighter, and it stings. Anytime a first responder dies in the line of duty it stings,” Tom Bedore said.
Altman would have been on the job for two years in May.
Mourners Friday said they thought it was important to honor him.
“I grew up in Beverly, and there’s definitely a community feel around here, and having them be a part of this, and know that this is what you do. You help your brother; you help your sister,” neighborhood resident Katie Keller said.
“It’s overwhelming, and we can’t appreciate it enough. Honestly, this has been honestly an overwhelming amount of support. And sadly every time something like this happens, there is a overwhelming amount of support for us. And we appreciate that from everyone,” said Erik Steinmetz, with Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2. “He was really someone who was passionate about the job, had drive to learn about the job. And he was just, really took everything very seriously, and tried to be the best at it and he was really squared away guy.”
Funeral services are set for next week.
On Friday night, the community is holding a T-shirt fundraiser for Altman’s young family.
A thousand shirts were delivered Friday afternoon to Reilly’s Daughter in Oak Lawn. The bar paid for the T-shirts to be printed.
They’ll sell them for $25 apiece to benefit Altman’s young son and wife, who is eight months pregnant.
The proceeds will go directly to the family.
This is not the first time the southwest suburban pub has helped out a family facing a tragedy.
After all, Brendan O’Brien says he’s had relatives on the job, too.
“That’s what we do. It’s something: My father started this place almost 50 years ago, and he started doing it. And I grew up here my whole life, and that’s what I was raised to do,” O’Brien said.
Organizers say if they run out of shirts, their supplier, Marathon Sportswear, will immediately open an online store to continue selling the shirts.
At the United Center Friday night, there was a moment of silence. The Chicago Blackhawks and their fans honored a hero gone too soon.
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