Chicago is in mourning after a mass shooting during a family gathering in the Back of the Yards neighborhood left an 8-year-old girl dead and ten others wounded, including three children. According to CBS Chicago, the incident took place on Saturday evening near West 52nd Street and South Damen Avenue.
Responding to a ShotSpotter alert with 18 rounds fired, members of the Chicago Police swiftly initiated life-saving measures. Chicago Police Area One Deputy Chief Don Jerome, in an interview obtained by CBS Chicago, addressed the brutal nature of the shooting, stating, "This was not a random act of violence. It was likely gang-related." The attackers’ actions he described as "horrific and unacceptable in our city.”
The casualties included a 1-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy, critically injured, and a 9-year-old boy with a minor injury. Police and the family confirmed that Ariana Molina, age 9, suffered a fatal headshot. Adults between the ages of 19 to 40 were also among the injured. During the attack, a witness reported seeing a black sedan from which multiple shots were fired before it sped away.
Jose Molina, father of Ariana, revealed in a heart-wrenching CBS Chicago interview, "When I saw my daughter on the floor, she had a bullet hole in her head. I try to help her, but it was too late." He emphasized that his family, who has called the neighborhood home for three decades and were celebrating his sister's confirmation, were not involved in gangs. About the shooters targeting children, he said, "Why would they do that s*** to little kids? They got a big life. Why would they do that to them?"
In the aftermath, Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement to support the community and condemn the violence. "Today, we mourn the loss of an 8-year-old girl whose life was tragically taken from her by gang violence," the Mayor said, as reported by the city's official press release. The mayor also highlighted a multi-faceted initial response including community canvassing, financial support for the victims' families, and increased police presence at local schools.
No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning, with detectives from Area One leading the ongoing investigation. The entire city, grappling with the shock and sorrow of the lost and injured lives, is united in the call for justice and healing.
