Colorado woman charged with first-degree murder for starting fire that killed 5-year-old boy
A Colorado woman intentionally set a fire inside an apartment that spread through the entire building, killing a 5-year-old boy on the second floor, according to police.
Alondra Michel, 37, has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree arson and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Aurora Police Department announced Monday.
The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. Monday after what police described as a “domestic violence incident.” The blaze inside the unit spread to adjacent units in the three-story building.
“In under a minute, that whole entire building was up in flames,” Jasmine Murray, who escaped from the first floor, told CBS 4.
Abner “Choco” Salmeron Jr., 5, was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“He was such an amazing little boy full of life and energy,” a family friend wrote on a GoFundMe page to raise money for his parents. “He was very playful very lovable and caring, had a funny personality. He would light up the room with just his appearance. Choco has left a big hole in our hearts.”
Two other people were hospitalized and 31 residents in total were displaced.
