What began as a night of celebration in one of Chicago’s busiest nightlife districts turned to tragedy late Wednesday when a mass shooting outside an album release party left four people dead and 14 others injured.
The shooting took place just after 11 p.m. outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in the city’s River North neighborhood, where Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz, 24, was hosting a private event for her latest album. Police say a dark SUV drove past the venue and opened fire on the crowd as guests were leaving, with at least three shooters firing from inside the vehicle.
Two women, ages 26 and 27, and two men, ages 24 and 25, were killed. The other victims—13 women and five men between the ages of 21 and 32—were taken to local hospitals. At least three remained in critical condition as of Thursday.
“I can only describe it as a war zone,” said Chicago pastor Donovan Price, who arrived at the scene to support victims and families. “Just mayhem and blood and screaming and confusion as people tried to find their friends and phones.”
Social media videos captured guests mingling on a red carpet earlier in the night. By midnight, photos showed ambulances lining the street and distraught relatives crying outside emergency rooms. Mello Buckzz, whose real name is Melanie Doyle, later confirmed that two of the victims were her boyfriend and best friend.
“My heart broke into so many pieces rn it’s unbelievable,” she wrote on Instagram. “All I can do is talk to God and pray… We was having so much fun in our private little life… glued to my hip every day.”
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What Was Meant to Be a Safe Space in Chicago Turned Into a Target
Artis Restaurant and Lounge had billed itself as a new kind of venue in River North: a Black- and LGBTQ-owned Creole restaurant created to be a safe space for marginalized communities. In an emotional statement Thursday, the owners said:
“What happened last night disrupted it in the most painful way.”
The location, however, has a history. In November 2022, a shooting outside the same address—then operating as Hush Lounge—left one dead and three injured. The city shut down the business after that incident, and Artis opened in the same space earlier this year.
“Folks need places like that now,” said Price. “It’s a rough world.”
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Mello Buckzz Speaks Out After the Tragedy
Mello Buckzz has emerged as one of Chicago’s most viral rap artists, especially among young women. Her breakout track “Boom (Mouskatool)” and follow-up “Boom Pt. 2” with Latto helped land her on the Coachella 2023 lineup. Known for her fierce confidence and connection with her fans, the shooting has devastated both her personal circle and her growing audience.
“I’m so fucking angry,” she wrote. “U was woke—I held yo hand until I couldn’t. U talked to me…”
As of Thursday, no arrests had been made. Police continue to search for the three suspects involved and are reviewing surveillance footage from the area. The investigation is ongoing.
The shooting comes just days before the Fourth of July weekend—traditionally one of Chicago’s deadliest. Last year, 109 people were shot and 19 killed during the holiday. Despite high-profile incidents, city officials have reported a 32% drop in homicides and a 39% decrease in shootings so far this year.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has not yet commented on the River North shooting. Artis Lounge says it will remain closed as the community processes the tragedy.
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