Octaviano Romero charged in Chicago Back of the Yards mass shooting that killed 9-year-old Ariana Molina, injured 10 others: CPD

CHICAGO (WLS) — As of Monday evening, 39-year-old Octaviano Romero remains behind bars despite being denied pretrial release.

He has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and 10 counts of attempted first-degree murder in connection with the April 13 shooting that continues to haunt a young family.

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Monica Mendez was wounded in the forearm. She and her husband, now 7, and their 2-year-old son, were shot in the abdomen.

“It was hard to watch my kids not be able to eat for weeks, suffering from their injuries,” Mendez said. “They’ve had multiple surgeries. My kids will never be the same. They’re scared. They don’t even want to go outside. They don’t want to go anywhere.”

They were injured when at least three gunmen fired more than 70 shots at people gathered at a party near 52nd and Damen.

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“Knowing that everyone else is still free, we are not getting the full justice that we want and hope we will get,” said Pablo Vigil, the boys’ father.

The shooting, which injured 10 people, also claimed the life of 9-year-old Ariana Molina. Her father, Jose Molina, hopes more arrests will follow.

“I have confidence that little by little, over and over again, they’re going to get to whoever did this to my daughter,” he said. “She was the best daughter in the world, man. She was happy about everything. She was always helpful, helping everyone.”

Ariana’s father said authorities told him there may have been at least five people responsible for the shooting, including three shooters and two drivers who fled the scene.

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