A mass shooting in a south Chicago neighborhood on Saturday night has left one child dead, and 10 people wounded, according to police.
CBS Chicago reported that three other children were among the 10 injured during a shooting in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood around 9:20 p.m., near West 52nd Street and South Damen Avenue. Chicago police said that the victims were at a family gathering when the shooting took place.
Chicago police said they responded to a Shotspotter alert of 18 rounds fired and found multiple victims with gunshot wounds at the scene. According to Chicago Police Area One Deputy Chief Don Jerome, officers then began providing life-saving care, including tourniquets and chest seals.
Chicago Police Area One Deputy Chief Don Jerome said the shooting was targeted and likely gang-related, with witnesses telling police they saw a black sedan pull up in the area, and an unidentified person started shooting into the crowd before fleeing. Jerome said: “The offenders’ actions, make no mistake, are horrific and unacceptable in our city.”
An 9-year-old girl was shot in the head and died, according to police and her family, who identified her as Ariana Molina. Two boys ages 1 and 8 were in critical condition, and one 9-year-old-boy suffered minor injuries. Officials said the ages of the adult victims ranged from 19 to 40.
Area One detectives are investigating the incident, with police stating that they believe two people committed the shooting. As of press time, no one has been taken into custody.
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