Man charged in Chicago mass shooting that left girl dead, 10 other people injured
CHICAGO (CBS) — A man has been charged in a deadly mass shooting that took place in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood in April.
Octaviano Romero, 39, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.
On April 13, 9-year-old Ariana Molina was killed and 10 other people, including three other children, were injured in a shooting at a family gathering.
Ariana's father, Jose Molina, said all the victims were family members and were celebrating his sister's confirmation. Ariana was in the front yard when she was shot in the head. Her mother was shot in the back. His two nephews, ages 1 and 7, were injured.
"She was everything to me," said Jose. "She was my little princess. I just don't see how she's not here. That's just so hard for me."
Officials said the ages of the adult victims ranged from 19 to 40.
"I was so mad," Jose Molina said. "I just wanted to beat him up, but like I said, I gotta let the justice do their job."
He added that the other victims have been recovering and are doing well, even though life will never again be normal for them. Molina said the arrest brings some measure of peace, but with other suspects in the shooting still free, the quest for justice will continue.
"At least we know he's not going to do anything like this to anybody else," Molina said. "I know the other people are still out. So, I'm hoping little by little, everyone is going to be locked up."
At his first court appearance on Monday, Romero was ordered held in Cook County Jail while he awaits trial. He's due back in court on Wednesday.