Mass shooting at family gathering in Back of the Yards leaves 9-year-old girl dead, 10 others wounded
Saturday should have been a joyous day for Alejandra Velasquez and her family, but it turned into a nightmare when gunfire erupted at a family gathering in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The shooting left a 9-year-old girl dead and 10 others wounded, including three children and seven adults.
The family had gathered to celebrate a relative’s confirmation when the shots rang out, shattering the peaceful afternoon. Ariana Molina, Velasquez’s niece and goddaughter, was tragically killed in the shooting. Velasquez described the chaos and devastation that followed, with blood everywhere, parents crying out for their children, and the cake flying as the violence unfolded.
The shooters used assault rifles and handguns, leaving behind 75 shell casings. Two brothers, ages 1 and 8, were critically wounded, along with a 9-year-old boy who suffered a graze wound. The seven wounded adults, all related to the victims, ranged in age from 19 to 40.
Police believe the shooting was gang-related, but Velasquez expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in the presence of innocent children. She emphasized the need for the violence to stop, especially in a neighborhood with many children.
Ariana, described as the “princess of the family,” was remembered for her sweet and loving nature. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Ald. Stephanie Coleman expressed their condolences and vowed to work towards justice for the victims.
The tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in Chicago, with over 120 children under 16 being shot to death since 2018. The community is left mourning the loss of a young life and praying for the recovery of the injured.