2 Gang Members Sentenced in 6-Year-Old Girl's Fatal Shooting

Two reputed Chicago gang members were sentenced to more than 50 years in prison Monday after being convicted in the murder of a 6-year-old girl, who was caught in gunfire as she stood in front of her own home.

Luis Hernandez, 19, and Juan Barraza, 21, were earlier convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm after 6-year-old Aliyah Shell was shot dead during a shooting over gang turf war in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood in March 2012, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Cook County Judge Stanley Sacks on Monday sentenced Hernandez to 65 years in prison and Barraza to 50 years.

According to prosecutors, Hernandez and Barraza were involved in a dispute between the Latin Kings and a rival street gang.

On March 17, 2012, Hernandez and Barraza were cruising the 3100 block of South Springfield Avenue in a gray pickup truck when they passed a home they believed belonged to rival gang members, prosecutors said.

Hernandez, a passenger in the truck, got out of the vehicle and started shooting at a group of people on the front porch of the home, including Aliyah and several of her family members.

The young girl, whose mother was braiding her hair at the time, was struck several times in the abdomen and later died from her injuries.

The little girl's sister was inside the house when she heard a popping sound outside.

"They started shooting but I thought it was fireworks. I heard like five or six gunshots. I thought they were fireworks," said Desiree Valzquez, Aliyah's sister. "I ran outside, and my mom was holding my sister. My sister wasn't talking anymore. She wasn't breathing."

Authorities said Hernandez and Barraza fled after the shooting, but police did recover a gun at the scene.
 

Contact Us