Chicago mass shooting kills four and injures 14 at rapper Mello Buckzz’s River North event

Four people were killed and fourteen others wounded late Wednesday night in a targeted mass shooting outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, following a music release party hosted by rapper Mello Buckzz. The attack, which unfolded around 11 p.m. on July 2, saw a dark SUV pull up near the venue before gunmen opened fire on the crowd with at least two different firearms, striking eighteen people within seconds, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling.

Snelling condemned the incident as a “deplorable and cowardly act,” emphasizing that the shooters displayed no concern for who was in the line of fire. “They didn’t care who was struck,” he said. “In a matter of seconds, they were able to shoot 18 people.”

The venue had hosted Mello Buckzz’s album-release event earlier in the evening. Police have indicated that the venue itself was targeted, though no specific individual has been publicly identified as the intended victim. As of Thursday, no suspects were in custody, and detectives were reviewing surveillance footage and ballistics evidence, which included multiple calibers of shell casings.

What background about Artis and River North sheds light on how this tragedy unfolded?

The shooting has renewed scrutiny over the venue where it occurred. Artis Restaurant and Lounge occupies the former site of Hush Lounge, which was closed by the city in 2022 after a fatal shooting incident. Artis had reopened with a new business model as a Creole BYOB space intended to serve Chicago’s Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ communities. The recurrence of deadly violence at this specific location has reignited political and community discussions around zoning, liquor licensing, and law enforcement presence in nightlife-heavy corridors like River North.

Authorities swiftly issued a summary closure order for Artis following the incident, and 42nd Ward Alderperson Brendan Reilly has since confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure the venue does not reopen.

Who were the victims and what is known about the extent of injuries?

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased as Leon Andrew Henry, 25, Devonte Terrell Williamson, 23, Taylor Walker, 26, and Aviance King, 27. All were Chicago residents and had attended the party that night. Of the fourteen wounded, eleven were women, and victims ranged in age from 21 to 32 years old. Several remain in critical condition across multiple Chicago hospitals.

Rapper Mello Buckzz posted messages of grief on Instagram Thursday, confirming that her boyfriend and her best friend were among the dead. “My heart broke into so many pieces,” she wrote, asking for prayers for her “sisters.”

How are local officials and community leaders reacting to the violence and aftermath?

Community leader and anti-violence advocate Pastor Donovan Price was among the first to arrive at the scene. He described the situation as “mayhem and blood,” saying the scale of the trauma was unlike anything he had witnessed before. “From people screaming, to blood on the streets, to people laying on the streets, a massive police presence. Just horrific. More than I’ve ever seen,” Price told reporters.

Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed community frustration and emphasized the administration’s commitment to justice. “We are frustrated, but we are also grieving,” Johnson said. “We will not rest until there is full accountability.”

How does this mass shooting relate to broader crime trends and public safety planning in Chicago?

Despite the horror of Wednesday’s incident, city crime statistics as of June 29 show year-to-date murders down 32% and shooting incidents down 39%. The River North shooting, however, casts a shadow over these trends, coming just days before the July 4 weekend—a period historically associated with a spike in violence in Chicago. During Independence Day weekend in 2024, for example, 109 people were shot and 19 killed.

This year, the city is deploying an expanded safety protocol. Police presence has been increased in nightlife districts, lakefront parks, and key commercial areas. Helicopter patrols, the Emergency Operations Center, and inter-agency coordination are all active. Johnson called the July 4 weekend “a test” for the city’s broader community safety strategy.

What are the key details of the ongoing investigation into the River North attack?

Police confirmed that two different calibers of shell casings were recovered—indicative of at least two weapons being used. Investigators believe the shooting involved multiple gunmen, likely from within the SUV. No suspects had been publicly identified as of Friday morning, and authorities are urging witnesses and anyone with video footage to come forward. Ballistics analysis and surveillance footage from nearby businesses are central to the investigation.

Superintendent Snelling reiterated that the attack appeared targeted, but that the shooters acted indiscriminately in execution. “This is not random,” he said, noting that detectives are pursuing multiple leads.

How does the city plan to maintain control and ensure community confidence in the coming days?

In the wake of the shooting, City Hall is working closely with the Chicago Police Department, community organizations, and local businesses to enhance visibility and calm tensions. Alderpersons from River North and nearby wards have issued joint statements urging public cooperation and pledging further oversight of venue operations. Crisis response teams have been dispatched to the affected neighborhoods, while hospitals and nonprofit groups are offering trauma counseling and support services to victims and their families.

The city’s Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, Garien Gatewood, has emphasized that long-term violence prevention must go beyond law enforcement. “We must build peace on blocks,” he told community organizers in a closed-door session Thursday, pointing to upcoming “take back the block” events scheduled across South and West Side neighborhoods.

What happens next as Chicago braces for the Fourth of July weekend?

With more than 1.5 million residents expected to take part in July 4 festivities citywide, Chicago officials are bracing for a tense and closely monitored holiday. In addition to expanded police presence, the city has activated high-alert status for emergency services and will deploy drones and mobile command units in key zones. Liquor control measures, especially for late-night establishments, are being enforced citywide.

Mayor Johnson reaffirmed that his administration would hold venue owners accountable and work to preserve the city’s progress on crime reduction. “Our city will not be defined by violence,” he said. “We will be defined by how we respond to it.”