A drive-by shooting outside a Chicago nightclub where an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz was held has left four people dead and 14 wounded, police say.
The crowd was leaving the Artis Lounge nightclub in Chicago’s River North neighborhood Wednesday night when the shooting occurred, according to CBS News.
Police say shots were fired from inside a dark SUV into a crowd of people standing outside the club at around 11 p.m. Wednesday. The victims range from 21 to 32 years old.
So far there have been no arrests. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Buckzz, whose real name is Melanie Doyle, reacted to the shooting on Instagram Stories, saying 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.”
The Chicago-based rapper performed at Coachella in 2023 where she performed “Boom Pt. 2” with Atlanta rapper Latto. Her other hits include “Boom (Mouskatool)”.
Artis Lounge nightclub owners confirmed they working with authorities on the investigation and 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.”
