A devastating drive-by shooting occurred outside a Chicago nightclub, Artis Lounge, on Wednesday night, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuring 14 others. The incident took place around 11 pm local time as attendees were leaving an album release party for rapper Mello Buckzz. According to the Chicago Police Department, a dark-colored car drove past the club, and gunmen inside the vehicle opened fire on the crowd.
The victims, two men aged 24 and 25 and two women, were pronounced dead at the hospital. The injured individuals were rushed to several area hospitals, with at least four reported to be in critical to serious condition.
Eyewitness Pastor Donovan Price described the scene as “absolute chaos,” saying, “From people screaming to blood on the streets to people laying on the streets… horrific.” He added, “It’s something that you wouldn’t expect to find in the city. We have a lot of shootings, but nothing like this.”
Rapper Mello Buckzz took to social media to express her grief, stating, “Prayers up for all my sisters god please wrap yo arms around every last one of them.” She also shared her emotional state, saying, “Feel like everything just weighing down on me.” In another post, she wrote, “All I can do is talk to god and pray.”
The shooting is believed to have been a drive-by attack, and police are investigating the incident. No one has been taken into custody yet. This incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States. The area where the shooting occurred has previously experienced violence, including a mass shooting in 2022 at the same location when it was known as Hush Lounge.
The investigation is ongoing, with police reviewing surveillance footage and asking anyone with information to come forward. The community is in shock, and the incident has sparked widespread concern about public safety.