CHICAGO, IL — Four people were killed and another 14 injured in a drive-by shooting outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Chicago early on Wednesday, July 2. The shooting occurred just after a rapper Mello Buckzz’s album release party, according to reports from CBS News, NBC Chicago, and the Chicago Sun-Times.
Incident Details
According to police, a dark-colored vehicle pulled up outside the nightclub and at least one person inside the vehicle began firing on the crowd. Two men, aged 24 and 25, as well as a 26-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman, were fatally shot. The victims were reportedly shot in the chest or head, with three of them hit in the chest and the 25-year-old struck in the head.
After the shooting, the vehicle fled the scene immediately, and no arrests have been made in connection to the attack. The identity of the suspects remains unclear as of the latest reports.
Wounded Victims and Critical Condition
The 14 injured victims ranged in age from 21 to 32 years old, and four women were listed in critical condition, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Authorities have yet to release additional details regarding the extent of the injuries or the conditions of the other victims.
History of Safety Concerns at the Venue
The nightclub is located at the site of a former club, Hush Chicago, which was closed in 2022 by the city after a fatal shooting. The city declared the former nightclub a “public safety threat”, and there have been ongoing concerns about safety at the location.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Thursday morning, no arrests have been made in connection with the drive-by shooting. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
The shooting outside Artis Restaurant and Lounge is another tragic incident in a series of violence-related incidents in the city. Authorities are working to identify the suspects and piece together what led to this deadly attack on a group of people gathered for an album release party. As the investigation continues, the community remains in shock over the loss of life and the injuries sustained in the attack.
