A family party in Chicago was rocked by gunshots, leaving one 9-year-old girl dead and ten others wounded, including an eight-year-old and a one-year-old, as reported by the police.
Saturday night’s shooting did not result in any arrests, and authorities are appealing to the public for information that can lead them to the perpetrators.
The incident was probably gang-related and premeditated, according to Deputy Chief Don Jerome. No matter who was behind it, three defenseless children were hit, and one died from her injuries.
Ariana Molina, a 9-year-old girl, was reportedly shot in the head. According to the authorities, she was transported to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she was declared dead.
Jose Molina, Ariana’s dad, told local media that he and his wife were both shot during the incident. He said that he had injuries to his feet and that his wife was still in the hospital due to a gunshot wound to the back. He spoke highly of his daughter, Ariana, saying that she meant everything to him.
According to the authorities, the incident took place in the Back of the Yards area during a big family outdoor celebration. Eyewitnesses informed authorities that after 9 p.m., a black vehicle rolled by, and its occupants began firing into the crowd. Two gunmen were likely responsible for the massacre, according to the police.
On Chicago’s far southwest side is the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The area was formerly occupied by the massive Union Stock Yard and packing factories, which were the biggest livestock grounds and meatpacking centers in the nation until the 1950s.
An alert from ShotSpotter indicated 18 rounds of gunfire in the area, prompting police to respond. According to officials, officers responded to reports of many people with gunshot wounds and immediately began administering CPR.
The gunfire on Saturday night wounded two males, aged (late 30s), and five females, aged 19 to 40 years old. Two young boys aged 1 and 8 were also injured and taken to the hospital with stomach wounds.
Reports show the family is still in a state of shock as authorities probe the fatal mass shooting on the South Side of Chicago. The tragic loss of Ariana prompted dozens of people to gather on April 15th at Back of the Yards, where they prayed for her family and spoke out against the senseless act of murder.
