Man charged in Back of the Yards mass shooting that killed 9-year-old Ariana Molina

A Chicago man has been charged in a Back of the Yards shooting that killed 9-year-old Ariana Molina and injured 10 other family members in April.

Octaviano Romero, 39, was charged with first-degree murder and 10 counts of attempted murder, Chicago police said.

He appeared for a detention hearing on Monday.

“I was happy,” said Ariana's father, Jose Molina, when he heard someone had been charged with her murder. “At least they caught one person, that gives us a little hope.”

Detectives told Molina that “more than three people” were involved in the shooting, he said.

On April 13 at around 9:30 p.m., Ariana and her relatives were celebrating a confirmation in the 2000 block of West 52nd Street when shots rang out. Ariana was shot in the head and died of her injuries, officials said.

Two brothers, aged one and eight, were also shot multiple times in the stomach and taken to hospital in critical condition, according to police. A nine-year-old boy suffered a graze on his hand, but was in good condition.

Molina said the brothers have been released from the hospital and are in better spirits.

“Everyone is gradually getting a little better,” Molina said.