27-Year-Old Chicago Man Charged With Murder In Arson Fire That Claimed Life Of Firefighter

CHICAGO—A 27-year-old Chicago man has been charged in the murder of a Chicago firefighter who died in an arson fire earlier this week on the North Side of Chicago.

Sheaves Slate, of the 3200 block of North Lawndale Avenue, has been charged with murder, aggravated arson/injure Fire/Police/DOC, and residential warrant.

Slate has been hospitalized, and his initial court appearance scheduled for Saturday was postponed, and he is expected to appear Monday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

Chicago police arrested Slate on Wednesday on a warrant for failure to appear in court on an unrelated charge in the 800 block of West Irving Park Road.

CFD Firefighter/EMT Michael Altman died battling a blaze Monday morning at 1757 W. North Shore Drive in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

An internal police bulletin dated March 17 and marked “sensitive” appeared on social media. The bulletin indicated that Area 3 detectives were “seeking to locate and interview” a man identified as Slate related to the deadly fire that claimed the life of Altman, police said.

Slate was said to have an active warrant for his arrest when he failed to show up for a court appearance in January on felony drug and misdemeanor retail theft charges. The man also has several past arrests and is currently on probation, the Chicago Sun-Times and CWB Chicago reported.

Slate is scheduled for an initial court appearance Saturday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

Services for Altman are set for Thursday and Friday, March 26 and March 27, at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7040 S. Western Ave., Chicago.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling issued a written statement expressing his condolences to the fallen firefighter's family.

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.

~ This story has been updated with new information.