On the evening of April 13, 2024, a family celebration turned tragic when a nine-year-old girl, Ariana Molina, was killed in a gunfire attack in the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois. Ten more individuals were injured, including three children now fighting for their lives.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 PM during an outdoor Catholic Confirmation celebration held by the family near West 52nd Street and South Damen Avenue. Attackers in a black sedan unexpectedly fired at the crowd.
The Chicago Police Department responded promptly to the scene, alerted by a ShotSpotter detection system that registered 18 rounds. Despite the swift response, the young girl was fatally hit in the head and later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Her father, Jose Molina, survived with a foot injury and expressed immeasurable grief over the loss of his daughter.
“The whole family was together, just trying to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate,” Jose Molina shared. “None of us could have ever imagined it turning out this way.”
Children as young as one year were victims of this violent act; the toddler suffered multiple gunshot wounds. His critically injured seven-year-old brother and a nine-year-old boy, who was grazed on the hand, were also rushed to the hospital. Little information is available about the other victims, aged between 19 and 40, but the physical and emotional impact of the attack is clear.
Ariana’s aunt, Alejandra Velasquez, said that all the wounded were related and that Ariana’s mother was wounded in the shoulder and still hospitalized. Velasquez herself was standing in front of Ariana when she was shot.
Chicago Police believe the shooting to be a result of gang violence. “This was not a random act of violence; it was likely gang-related,” confirmed Area 1 Deputy Chief Don Jerome. “The offenders’ actions are horrific and unacceptable in our city.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson voiced his deep dismay over the incident. “The heartbreak of losing one of our city’s children is unimaginable, especially under these tragic circumstances,” Mayor Johnson pointed out. “We must not become numb to this pain.”
The city has responded to the incident by planning to deploy trauma support teams to the affected Back of the Yards community. A canvassing event has also been scheduled to offer victim services and trauma care, reflecting the urgent need for support and healing within the community.
The investigation of the shooting by the Chicago Police continues. They urge anyone with information to step forward, hoping that community assistance will lead to the capture of those responsible. This incident, which occurred during a weekend when a total of 48 people were shot in separate incidents across Chicago, highlights the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence.
“This incident, this loss of a young life, this pain inflicted on a family gathered to celebrate—none of it should be normal, none of it can be dismissed,” Deputy Chief Jerome stated. “Three innocent children were struck tonight, and these actions are horrific and unacceptable in our city.”
The day after the incident, the family remained on the same block, in a state of shock, frequently interrupted by sobs as they attempted to process the tragedy. Many relatives, including Ariana’s immediate family and grandmothers, reside on the same street. A modest memorial featuring a cross, pink balloons, and votive candles was set up on the street, adorned with a “God bless” banner, in honor of Ariana and the other victims.
