Family remembers 9-year-old girl killed in Back of the Yards shooting

CHICAGO – Friends and family came together Sunday to remember a 9-year-old girl shot and killed in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.

On April 13, 2024, the family was celebrating a Catholic Confirmation. They were getting ready to cut a cake when gunshots rang out.

At the time, ShotSpotter picked up 18 rounds fired.

A total of 11 people were shot: seven adults and four kids. Among the children was 9-year-old Ariana Molina, who did not survive her injuries. Two boys – ages one and seven – had to go to an intensive care unit.

Accused of killing Ariana is 39-year-old Octaviano Romero. He also faces several charges of attempted murder.

A motive for the shooting is unclear, but family members believe the shooting was a case of mistaken identity and the victims were not the target.

On Sunday, loved ones gathered at their old home near 52nd Street and Damen Avenue to remember Ariana, but to also call attention to her case as they know more people were involved in the shooting.

“A lot of pain. It’s worse every day. It’s real hard the whole year. Her birthday passed. She’s not here. It’s really hard,” Ariana’s father Jose Molina said. “I need them to get the rest of the people that did this. Like it was not only one person, that’s for sure.”

Ariana’s family said some of the victims that were injured are not just dealing with emotional pain, but physical pain as their injuries were severe, which is why they want the community to speak up and report any information that could lead to more arrests in the case.