CHICAGO, IL – At least four people were killed and 14 others wounded in a mass shooting late Wednesday night outside the Artis Lounge nightclub in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, according to Chicago police.
Authorities said the shooting occurred around 11:00 p.m. in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a dark-colored SUV drove past the venue and three occupants opened fire into a crowd gathered outside the nightclub.
The victims were reportedly leaving an album release party for local rapper Mello Buckzz at the time of the shooting.
Among the four confirmed fatalities were two men, ages 24 and 25, and two women, one of whom has been identified as Taylor Walker, also known as “Tay Tay.”
Another victim, Avi Drexler, was also confirmed deceased by friends and family. Both individuals were reportedly part of the local music and creative community.
The identities and ages of the remaining deceased victims have not yet been publicly released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Fourteen others were injured, ranging in age from 21 to 32 years old. Eight of the injured were reported to be in good condition with non-life-threatening wounds.
Among them were:
- A 29-year-old woman shot in the shin
- A 29-year-old man shot in the thigh
- A 31-year-old woman shot in the knee
- A 25-year-old man shot in the hand and thigh
- A 25-year-old woman shot in the thigh
- A 30-year-old woman shot in the hand
- A 29-year-old man shot in the forearm
- A 27-year-old woman shot in the foot
At least four additional victims were listed in serious to critical condition at area hospitals. Emergency responders and hospital staff continue to provide care for the wounded.
Rapper Mello Buckzz released a statement on social media in the wake of the tragedy, expressing sorrow and concern for those impacted:
“Prayers up for all my sisters. God please wrap your arms around every last one of them. Feel like everything just weighing down on me… all I can do is talk to God and pray.”
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and deeply traumatic. “The worst I’ve ever seen,” one individual shared. “People were frantically searching for their friends, trying to figure out who was alive. Phones and keys were dropped during the chaos — people couldn’t even call for help.”
No arrests have been made as of Thursday.
The Chicago Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are working to identify and apprehend the three individuals responsible for the attack.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Chicago Police or submit a tip anonymously through CPD’s tip line.
Authorities continue to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as they piece together the events that led to one of the city’s deadliest shootings this year.
