Saturday should have been a joyous one for Alejandra Velasquez and her family as they gathered to celebrate a relative's confirmation outside her in-laws' home. just before they cut the cake, gunfire erupted, killing a 9-year-old girl and wounding three boys and seven adults, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. "It just came out of nowhere," Velasquez said. Ariana Molina, Velasquez's niece and goddaughter, was killed. Velasquez was standing in front of Ariana when she was shot in the head. "It's hard to see her a few minutes before playing with my son. And then to see her on the floor not responding," Velasquez said Sunday. "The people who did this did not have a heart, they hurt innocent people," Ariana's grandmother said in Spanish between sobs. Two brothers, ages 1 and 8, were also shot several times in the abdomen and hospitalized in critical condition, according to Velasquez and Chicago police. A 9-year-old boy suffered a graze wound on his hand and was listed in good condition. The seven wounded adults ranged in age from 19 to 40, according to police.
Police say the shooting was likely the result of gang violence. Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert that picked up 18 shots fired about 9:30 p.m. Deputy Chief Don Jerome said Saturday night. The shooters opened fire on the family with assault rifles and handguns, and 75 shell casings were recovered, according to a police report. Mayor Brandon Johnson mourned Ariana and prayed for the others' recovery. "This heinous and cowardly act of wanton violence that leaves our city mourning children is beyond reprehensible and has no place in our communities," Johnson said. "We are all allowed to be outraged today — a warm, spring day that I am sure this child would have been enjoying with family. I am praying for her loved ones and her community as they experience the unimaginable pain of losing a child." At least 120 children younger than age 16 have been shot to death in Chicago since 2018, according to data kept by the Sun-Times. In more than half the cases no arrests have been made.