On January 31, 2009, a devastating arson attack in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood claimed the lives of 7-year-old Hispanic/Latina female Itzel Fernandez and her 23-year-old mother, Roxana Ocampo, who was five months pregnant at the time. The fire erupted in the early morning hours at their residence on the second floor of a three-story apartment building located at 3912 West Argyle Street.
Investigators determined that the blaze was intentionally set using an accelerant in the building's stairwell, which rapidly spread to the upper floors, trapping the victims inside.
Roxana Ocampo made a valiant attempt to save her daughter, Itzel Fernandez, by re-entering the burning building. Tragically, both succumbed to smoke inhalation. An uncle managed to rescue Ocampo's 4-year-old son and two cousins from the inferno. The fire also displaced eight other residents and injured several individuals.
The investigation revealed that the fire was a retaliatory act stemming from gang-related violence. Jovan Djurdjulov, an 18-year-old alleged member of the Spanish Cobras gang, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated arson. Authorities stated that Djurdjulov acted as a lookout while another individual set the fire, targeting members of the rival Spanish Gangster Disciples gang believed to reside in the building.
During the trial, evidence presented included cell phone records placing Djurdjulov near the scene at the time of the fire, testimony from acquaintances who noted he smelled of gasoline shortly after the incident, and his own recorded statements to police. Djurdjulov initially denied involvement but later admitted to acting as a lookout during the arson attack.
The jury found Jovan Djurdjulov guilty of first-degree murder for the deaths of 7-year-old Hispanic/Latina female Itzel Fernandez and her mother, Roxana Ocampo. He was subsequently sentenced to 90 years in prison for his role in the fatal arson.
