Fire at home of brothers accused in Cortez murder ruled arson

YOUNGSTOWN

A blaze at a West Side home last week that was the address of a pair of brothers accused in the city’s latest murder has been ruled an arson.

Fire Department Capt. Alvin Ware said the ruling was made Friday for the Aug. 20 blaze at 118 Manchester Ave. Ware said samples of debris were sent to be tested and traces of an accelerant were found.

Ware said there are no suspects at this time.

Police said two of the suspects in the Aug. 17 shooting death of 17-year-old Shawn Cortez of West Ravenwood Avenue lived in the home.

David Jenkins, 17, faces a charge of aggravated murder and aggravated riot in the death of Cortez. His 19-year-old brother, Dejon Jenkins, is charged with complicity to commit murder and aggravated riot. Police say he gave his brother the gun used to shoot Cortez.

Cortez was shot during a street fight that went awry.

Read more about the case in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.