Chicago Mass Shooting Resulted in Death of 8-Year-Old Girl and 10 Others Injured Including Children

Chicago police speculate that gang-related violence was accountable for the deadly firing that resulted in the death of an 8-year-old girl and injuring ten others on Saturday night in the city's South Side.

Chicago Mass Shooting Kills 8-Year-Old Girl

The shooting happened near the intersection of 52nd St. and South Damen Ave. on Saturday. The 8-year-old girl died from a gunshot injury to the head, while two boys aged 1 and 7 sustained serious wounds from multiple gunshot injuries.

Deputy Police Chief Don Jerome declared that police helped in giving immediate assistance to the other eight casualties, whose ages ranged from 19 to 40, by applying tourniquets and chest seals.

According to a declaration from the Chicago Police Department, the victims were gathered outside for a family gathering when a witness observed a black sedan approaching and a shooting started. The Chicago Fire Department transported all victims to nearby hospitals.

Jerome emphasized that the incident was not random and likely linked to gang activity. Despite the reasons behind the attack, he condemned the shooters' actions, specifically noting the injury inflicted on blameless children.

Area One detectives are eagerly inspecting the shooting, and as of now, no arrests have been made.

The circumstances happened around 9:20 p.m. near the crossroads of West 52nd Street and South Damen Avenue. The casualties were attending a family event when the shooting started.

Upon getting a ShotSpotter alert implying 18 rounds were fired, officers arrived to find numerous people shot on the block. They urgently give life-saving aid, containing the application of tourniquets and chest seals, as particularized by Chicago Police Area One Deputy Chief Don Jerome.

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Children Among Victims of the Mass Shooting in Chicago

Among the casualties, an 8-year-old girl identified as Ariana Molina was deadly shot in the head, according to both police and her family. A 1-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy were seriously wounded from numerous shooting injuries, while a 9-year-old boy sustained a graze injury to his left pinky finger and was in a stable situation.

The deadly situation happened during a family celebration for Jose Molina's sister's confirmation. Ariana was in the front yard when she was fatally shot, and her mother was also wounded in the attack. Ariana's mother remains uninformed of her daughter's death, adding to the family's grief.

Jose Molina, Ariana's father, conveyed distrust and sorrow over the bloodshed that targeted innocent children and family members. He highlighted that his family had lived quietly in the community for three decades and had no engagement in gang activity.

Despite continuing inspections, no arrests had been made by Sunday morning, with Area One detectives leading the investigation.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the firing as a "heinous and cowardly act of wanton violence" and guaranteed support for the distressed neighborhood.

The Mayor's Office of Community Safety declared plans for urgent aid, including a mass canvassing gathering, financial support for the families of the casualties, and heightened police presence in affected locations. The Back of the Yards community received assurance of full support from the administration as they grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy.

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