Third Person Charged in Back of the Yards Liquor Store Shooting
Authorities have charged a third individual in connection with a shooting that left five people injured inside a liquor store in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on March 14. Chicago police recently apprehended 20-year-old Alonso Molina after he was involved in a traffic accident. Upon further investigation, officers discovered that Molina was wanted for attempted murder in relation to the incident at Goldmore Liquors on West 51st Street.
Molina now joins 21-year-old Angeles Flores and 24-year-old Luis Vargas as defendants accused of firing shots inside the establishment. The altercation reportedly began when Vargas verbally harassed one of the victims, displayed a firearm in his waistband, and challenged the man to a fight outside.
According to prosecutors, the situation escalated when another victim also revealed that he was armed. The store manager quickly moved customers and staff to a secure area and contacted emergency services while monitoring the unfolding events.
Surveillance footage captured Flores firing multiple rounds at the victims, with Molina also seen discharging a weapon. In the chaos that ensued, one of the victims managed to return fire, injuring Flores in the process. As the group of individuals fled the scene, additional shots were fired, causing damage to the store’s property.
Detectives reviewing the footage identified Vargas making gestures that were deemed offensive to a local street gang. The manager informed authorities that prior arguments between members of the two groups had never escalated to such violence.
During a court hearing, Judge Antara Rivera ordered Molina to be held in custody, citing the calculated nature of his actions and his apparent gang affiliations. Flores and Vargas were also remanded pending trial.
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