CHICAGO — A third man has been charged in connection with a mass shooting inside Goldmore Liquors that left five people injured in the Back of the Yards neighborhood earlier this year.
Alonso Molina, 20, was arrested after being involved in a recent traffic accident. When officers arrived to file a report, they discovered Molina had an active warrant for attempted murder stemming from the March 14 shooting.
He now joins Angeles Flores, 21, and Luis Vargas, 24, as co-defendants in the shooting that erupted at Goldmore Liquors, located at 1949 West 51st Street.
Surveillance Footage Shows Gunfire Exchange
The incident occurred around 8:22 p.m., when a group of seven individuals entered the store and surrounded three customers who were playing video gambling machines.
According to prosecutors:
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Vargas verbally confronted one victim and flashed a gun in his waistband
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The victim responded by lifting his own shirt to reveal he was armed
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The store manager quickly ushered staff and other customers to a back room and called 911
While the manager was still on the phone, members of both groups passed firearms among themselves. Moments later, shots rang out.
Five Wounded, Including Suspect
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Flores allegedly fired multiple rounds
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Molina was seen on surveillance also shooting at victims
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A victim returned fire, hitting Flores in the heel, pelvis, and hip
As the group fled the store, more shots were fired, including through a side window, shattering glass and damaging merchandise.
Gang Tensions Behind the Shooting
Detectives later reviewed footage showing Vargas making hand gestures associated with insults toward the Gangster Disciples. One of the victims was also seen flashing signs representing the same gang.
The store manager confirmed to police that the groups had previously argued inside the store, but no weapons had been shown until that night.
Judge Orders Detention, Calls Attack ‘Calculated’
Judge Antara Rivera ordered Molina held in custody, describing his actions as “calculated” and noting that “gang affiliations were made known” in the evidence.
All three defendants — Molina, Flores, and Vargas — remain detained pending trial.
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