It was a heart-wrenching tragedy-one that befell April 13, 2024, in the life of a young person shot in a mass shooting while being in a family gathering on the South Side of the town, which was supposed to be all joy. The heartbreaking incident happened at 9:18 p.m. in the rear yard of a residential neighborhood near the intersection of 52nd Street and South Damen Avenue. Chicago police described how quickly the scene descended into chaos after urgent notifications from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, reported the sound of 18 gunshots ringing out in the area. Police officers rushed to the scene immediately after the desperate call for help reached them and took stock of the situation with first aid for the victims. In addition to that life lost in such a tragic manner, ten people were injured, and this incident has sent shockwaves through the family and community who are mourning. It points not only to the persistence of gun violence in the city but also to how such violence can forever change lives and mark families and neighborhoods. They had several people injured upon arrival due to the shooting incident. The urgent lifesaving efforts were immediately initiated as a way of giving them emergency aid. They claimed there was a black sedan entering the area moments before mayhem began. It was at this point that a man, whose identity is still a secret, started firing into the crowd, turning the event into a scene of alarm and disorder. According to the most recent information from the Chicago police department, the attacker managed to run from the scene after firing the shots south down Damen Avenue. First responders responded swiftly to care for the injured and get the victims to receive their care as soon as possible. This incident sends ripples into the community due to safety concerns, and a call for vigilance is raised.
Police described the latest shooting as a targeted act of violence, done with malice and deliberately targeting a select few. According to the local police, seven adults and four children lost their lives in this terrible incident. One of the victims was a young girl who received a critical gunshot wound to her head. She immediately received attention from emergency personnel, who rushed her to a medical facility for urgent treatment. Unfortunately, she could not survive her injuries despite all the efforts of the medical staff trying to save her life. Her father, named Jose Molina, gave her name publicly as Ariana Molina. She had only nine years of life stolen away from her family and community. The effects of this incident have transcended the boundaries of immediate loss to lives and many lives fearing for their safety amidst violence.
"They had some big assault rifles, I guess, because it was too many shots... they shot my daughter in the head... my wife in the back... me in my leg... my two nephews and a couple more family members," Jose Molina told reporters
The individuals affected by this incident comprised of two males, aged 36 and 38, and five females, aged 19, 26, 30, 36, and 40. Additionally, three young boys, aged 1, 8, and 9, sustained injuries..
A bright, colorful banner still hangs on the home in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, where a family gathering was held Saturday night. It proudly celebrates a milestone moment-though out of place in a house filled today with heavy sadness hanging in the air. Speaking about the very reason his family was gathered together that day, Jose Molina said they got together to celebrate his sister's confirmation, one of the most important days in her life. What was supposed to be such a happy, joyful day is now a reminder of what they've lost; all the cheerful decorations still hang around them. What once was a vibrant atmosphere now fills up with the tragic experience as the family reflects upon their just celebrated occasion that is bitter-sweet.
"We were about to cut the cake when they started shooting from nowhere," Molina told reporters. Ariana met her untimely demise in a split second, being one of the 11 individuals who fell victim to the gunfire. Molina stated that the victims underwent a successful operation; however, his wife remains unaware that their sole daughter passed away as of Sunday afternoon.
"I haven't told my wife yet because she's still in a lot of pain of her own," he told reporters. "I don't want to give her more pain at the moment." "She was the best daughter ever... sweet... she loved to play... she was helpful... she was the best,".
