Drive-By Shooting in Chicago Kills 4, Injures 14 After Album Release Party

CHICAGO – What began as a celebration quickly turned into chaos and tragedy Wednesday night when a drive-by shooting in Chicago’s River North neighborhood left four people dead and 14 others wounded outside a local restaurant and lounge.

The crowd had gathered at Artis Restaurant and Lounge for an album release party hosted by Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz, but the mood shifted in an instant when shots were fired from a fast-moving vehicle. Witnesses described a terrifying scene of confusion, panic, and bloodshed.

“I can only describe it as a war zone,” said Pastor Donovan Price, a community crisis responder. “Mayhem, blood, screaming, and confusion as people tried to find their friends and phones.”

What We Know So Far

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling called the shooting a “cowardly act” and confirmed that it was targeted, not random. No arrests have been made, and the shooter or shooters remain at large.

• 18 people were shot in total — 13 women and 5 men, ranging in age from 21 to 32.

• Four victims died:

  • Leon Andrew Henry, 25

  • Devonte Terrell Williamson, 23

  • Taylor Walker, 26

  • Aviance King, 27

• At least three victims remain in critical condition, police said.

Police are reviewing surveillance footage and found two different types of shell casings, indicating multiple firearms were used.

“In a matter of seconds, they were able to shoot 18 people,” Snelling said during a Thursday press conference. “Clearly, there was some target in some way.”

A Community Safe Space Shattered

The shooting occurred outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge, a Black and LGBTQ-owned Creole restaurant that opened in April. The owners described the venue on Instagram as a “safe space where Black, Brown, Queer, and allied communities could gather and be celebrated.”

In a statement, they said the violence “disrupted it in the most painful way.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed the sentiment, calling Artis “a safe space in particular for the LGBTQ+ community.” He acknowledged the pain and trauma felt across the city but urged residents not to let the shooting define Chicago.

“Today is certainly a difficult day for our city,” Johnson said. “But we cannot allow that incident to define us — and it doesn’t define us.”

Mello Buckzz Speaks Out

Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz, whose fanbase is largely made up of women, was hosting the album release event when the shooting occurred. She shared her grief and heartbreak in an Instagram post just hours later:

“My heart broke into so many pieces,” she wrote, asking followers for prayers and expressing frustration at the violence.

Videos on social media showed guests dancing inside the restaurant earlier in the night. By morning, blood stained the sidewalk and personal belongings were scattered outside the venue.

A Painful Pattern

This isn’t the first time tragedy has struck this location. A 2012 shooting at the same address, then operating as Hush nightclub, left one man dead and three others injured, ultimately forcing the venue to shut down.

The most recent shooting also comes just days before the Fourth of July weekend, a time when gun violence often spikes in Chicago. Despite recent declines in citywide gun violence, holiday weekends remain dangerous. Over 100 people were shot during last year’s Fourth of July weekend, including at least 19 fatalities.

Mayor Johnson said law enforcement is preparing a citywide response to reduce violence during the upcoming holiday.

“It’s a Rough World”

Pastor Donovan Price, a familiar figure in Chicago’s crisis response efforts, said the shooting is especially heartbreaking because it struck a place trying to build community and celebrate life.

“Folks need places like that now,” Price said. “It’s a rough world.”

Final Thoughts

The tragedy has shaken a city still grappling with issues of gun violence, systemic inequality, and community healing. As police continue their investigation and residents mourn the lives lost, the message from city leaders and community members is clear: this violence cannot become the norm.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to submit anonymous tips to the Chicago Police Department’s tip line.

Source: AP News – Drive-by shooting kills 4 and wounds 14 others after a party at a Chicago restaurant