Chicago police to open emergency assistance center to support victims of violent crimes
Center will also be available for victims of Saturday's mass shooting that killed 9-year-old girl
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago Police Department will open an Emergency Assistance Center for victims of violent crimes on the South Side on Wednesday.
The center will be to support people affected by recent violent crimes.
Police said that includes those impacted by the Back of the Yards mass shooting that killed a 9-year-old girl and injured 10 others over the weekend.
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The Emergency Assistance Center will open on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Richard J. Daley Academy, located at 5024 S. Wolcott Ave.
All services will be free.
Detectives are continuing their investigation into the Saturday shooting.
Molina family members enjoyed lunch outside Tuesday afternoon, a couple feet from what has become a massive memorial to the 11 victims of the mass shooting Saturday night.
Many of the victims are still hospitalized, but the family is preparing for a funeral for 9-year-old Ariana Molina, who died after being shot in the head.
Her father shared a video she recently recorded on TikTok.
"I don't know how somebody do that to my daughter. That's all I'm asking. Get them caught. They need to do some time in jail," Jose Molina said.
Molina was also injured in the shooting, which happened during a family celebration in the yard. His wife and several other family members remain hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
Relatives said there were three gunmen, who got out of a vehicle at the end of the block and fired several shots into the crowd from the corner, several hundred feet away. It has been a traumatic event for the entire community.
"Especially because there is a child involved, multiple children, the victims of this terrible tragedy," Jose Hernandez said.
Hernandez and his Chicago Survivors group will be at Richard J. Daley Academy Wednesday for part of a city sponsored one-day emergency assistance center.
Volunteers have been distributing leaflets with information about the event throughout the neighborhood.
"The center is there to connect those affected by gun violence and trauma with the services that will help them heal and recover," said Glenn Brooks, with the Chicago Police Department.
Molina family members say healing is a long way off at this point.
They also say, contrary to some reports, the shooting could not have been gang-related, as no one in the family is involved in gangs.
They have shared information about the gunmen with police, and are hoping detectives find the suspects quickly.
