Cousins, a mass shooting within a Chicago neighborhood has left a young girl deceased and at least ten additional people injured; including a 1-year-old and 8-year-old child!
According to ABC News, gunfire erupted during a family gathering on Saturday evening in the Southside area of Chicago. Police officials are currently reaching out to the public to help assist them in identifying the gunmen responsible for the shooting.
Authorities state that things unraveled around 9 PM during a large family gathering held outdoors in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Witnesses say that a Black sedan pulled up to the event and that passengers began opening fire into the crowd without warning. Police believe that there are two gunmen responsible for the shooting.
“This was not a random act of violence,” Deputy Chief Don Jerome said the shooting was likely gang-related, during a news conference Saturday night. “Regardless of the motivation for this incident, three innocent children were struck tonight and one of them tragically succumbed to her wounds.”
Officers arrived on the scene after a Shotspotter alert had detected 18 gunshot rounds at the location.
Upon their arrival officers discovered numerous victims having suffered from gunshot wounds and began to perform lifesaving measurements.
9 year old Ariana Molina has been identified by her father, Jose Molina as the slain victim. The young girl was sadly struck in her head, and was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead, says police.
Jose tells ABC News that him and his wife were hit during the shooting. He has suffered wound to his feet while his wife remains hospitalized after being shot in her back.
He expressed that his daughter had been “wonderful and helpful, and was everything to him.”
“When I saw my daughter on the floor, she had a bullet hole in her head. I try help her, but it was too late,” Jose said.
He tells local news that his family has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years and never had any issues.
“She had nothing to with nothing of that. None of us are gang bangers. We don’t gang bang. We’ve been here 30 years. We don’t do none of that.”
Reports that three people were listed in critical condition following the shooting; including a 1 year old and a 8 year old boy reads a filed police report. Both kids were shot within their abdomen and were treated on Sunday at Cormer Children’s Hospital according to authorities.
“The offenders’ actions, make no mistake, are horrific and unacceptable in our city,” Jerome added.
A man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition after suffering two gunshot wounds to his back.
Additional victims are said to range from 19 to 40 years old, confirmed police.
“The Back of the Yards community is united in our grief, prayers, and collective mindset that we must continue to stand firm against these senseless acts of physical force,” said Chicago Alderman Stephanie Coleman.
“Violence is a citywide issue that continues to falsely characterize the true essence and intrinsic nature of our neighborhoods. This tragedy has left us all heartbroken and distressed.”
A GoFundMe account has been launched on Ariana’s family’s behalf by her uncle to assist with funeral arrangements.
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