At least four people were killed and 14 others wounded in a drive-by shooting outside a record release party for the rapper Mello Buckzz in Chicago’s River North neighborhood on Wednesday night, CBS News reports. Two men and two women, aged between 24 and 27, were shot to death in the incident. The injured victims range in age from 21 to 32 years old.
Police said around a dark SUV drove past the nightclub at around 11 p.m., where three people from inside fired shots into a crowd of people standing outside as the crowd was leaving the release party.
Mello Buckzz (real name: Melanie Doyle) issued a series of anguished posts and photos on social media, saying that in part, “Prayers up for all my sisters god please wrap yo arms around every last one of them.” She added, ” We was having so much fun in our private little life, couldn’t leave each other alone glued to my hip everyday. It’s not a night we ain’t spend together. I’m so fucking angry. U was woke I held yo hand until I couldn’t. U talked to me…
“My heart broke into so many pieces rn it’s unbelievable… Feel like everything just weighing down on me…all I can do is talk to god and pray.”
Mello Buckzz, 24, performed at Coachella in 2023 and has released a series of viral hits like “Boom (Mouskatool)” and “Boom Pt. 2,” the latter of which was a collaboration with Atlanta rapper Latto.
Artis Lounge nightclub confirmed they are working with 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.”
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
No arrests have been made as of Thursday. The investigation is ongoing as police search for the three shooters.
A mass shooting took place outside the same location in November 2022, when the nightclub was called Hush Lounge. One person was killed and three others wounded after a group of people who had been ejected from the venue began fighting. Police shut down Hush Lounge after that shooting; Artis Lounge later opened in the same location.
From Variety US