What happened at Mello Buckzz's album release party? Shooting leaves 4 killed, 14 wounded

A deadly shooting took place outside the Artis Restaurant and Lounge in Chicago's River North area late Wednesday night. The attack killed four people and hurt at least 14 others. It happened around 11 p.m. after an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz. Chicago police say a dark-colored car drove by the place on West Chicago Avenue.

People in the vehicle shot at a crowd standing outside the restaurant. Police think three shooters were involved. Early investigations point to a targeted attack, with some victims linked to the artist's inner circle. The victims were between 21 and 32 years old.

Two men died at Stroger Hospital: 25-year-old Leon Andrew Henry and 23-year-old Devonte Terrell Williamson. Two women aged 26 and 27 also died from gunshot wounds at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Ambulances took the injured people to several hospitals around the city. These included Illinois Masonic, Mt. Sinai, Stroger, and Northwestern Memorial. Four of those injured are still in bad shape, ranging from serious to critical.

Police are still looking into what happened. They haven't said why it occurred or if gangs had anything to do with it. However, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling noted that different calibers of shell casings were recovered, indicating the possible use of multiple weapons, including a rifle.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke out against the violence and stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable. He asked anyone with knowledge to help the police. He also mentioned that the city works with local and federal agencies to stop more incidents and possible payback attacks.

"We will not rest until there is full accountability. I'm calling on any Chicagoan who has any information about these mass shootings, we are calling on anyone who has information to come forward," Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

Artis Lounge temporarily closed amid investigation, owners express deep sorrow

The Artis Lounge, which hosted the party, has closed for now under a summary closure order as part of the ongoing probe.

The place used to be called Hush Lounge, where a mass shooting in 2022 killed one person and hurt three others. Artis Lounge managers said in a statement they felt very sad, pointing out they meant the place to be safe for different groups. They said they're working with the authorities as the investigation continues.

Owners released the following statement:

"Last night, an act of violence occurred within the vicinity of our restaurant and it deeply shook us. Artis was created as a safe space. A Space where Black, Brown, Queer, and allied communities could gather, be celebrated, and feel at home in River north. We've always led with that mission. And what happened last night disrupted it in the most painful way. Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones."  

Mello Buckzz pays tribute as community seeks answers

Rapper Mello Buckzz posted tributes on social media to honor those who died, including her boyfriend, Devonte Williamson. Her public posts showed her sorrow and wishes for the families going through this tough time.

The next day, people from the community and those who worked to stop violence got together outside the lounge. They handed out flyers and asked anyone who knew anything about the shooting to speak up. As of now, the police haven't caught anyone.

The same night as the River North incident, another shooting in the Riverdale neighborhood left four more individuals injured, highlighting a particularly violent stretch for the city. Investigations into both shootings are ongoing.