Date: July 2–3, 2025
Location: River North, Chicago (Artis Restaurant & Lounge)
Event: Album release party for local rapper Mello Buckzz (“HollyHOOD”)
📌 What Happened
Around 11 p.m. on July 2, 2025, attendees were leaving an album launch event at Artis Restaurant & Lounge—a Black- and LGBTQ-owned Creole venue—when a dark SUV pulled up. Gunmen inside opened fire in a drive-by shooting, targeting guests standing outside.
18 people were shot: 4 killed and 14 injured. The victims were between 21 and 32 years old.
💔 Victims & Immediate Aftermath
Deceased:
- Leon Andrew Henry (25)
- Devonte Terrell Williamson (23)
- Taylor Walker (26)
- Aviance King (27)
Injured: 14 others, including Mello Buckzz’s boyfriend and best friend. Four remain in critical condition.
Victims were rushed to Northwestern Memorial, Stroger, Mount Sinai, Illinois Masonic, and Advocate Illinois Masonic hospitals.
📣 Official Response
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling condemned the violence and confirmed that no suspects had yet been arrested. Multiple calibers of bullet casings were found, suggesting more than one shooter.
Mayor Brandon Johnson called for community cooperation and increased security during the July 4th weekend.
🎙️ Mello Buckzz Speaks Out
The rapper, real name Melanie Doyle, posted emotionally on Instagram:
“Prayers up for all my sisters… feel like everything just weighing down on me… My heart broke into so many pieces.”
She later confirmed her boyfriend and best friend were among the injured.
🏳️ Venue Profile
Artis Restaurant & Lounge at 311 W. Chicago Ave. is known for being inclusive of Black, Brown, and LGBTQ communities. It previously operated as Hush Lounge and was shut down in 2022 due to another shooting.
After this tragedy, authorities ordered the venue closed indefinitely.
🌎 Broader Context
The incident occurred amid a rise in gun violence during holiday periods in Chicago. Although shootings are down year-over-year, mass shootings remain a grave issue.
Authorities have deployed additional patrols and community violence interrupters across the city.
🔍 What Happens Next
- Investigations into motive and identity of shooters are ongoing
- Public urged to share tips or footage with Chicago PD
- Security measures tightened citywide during July 4th
- Victims receive both medical and emotional support
🎥 Video Footage
Watch a news report on the incident here:
Drive‑by Shooting at Chicago Album Release Party – NBC News
💬 Final Thoughts
This horrific act of violence has taken four lives and left many others wounded physically and emotionally. A moment of celebration for Mello Buckzz turned into a tragedy that has shaken Chicago’s cultural and artistic community.
As the investigation continues, Chicago stands at a crossroads: seeking justice, safety, and healing in a city long challenged by gun violence.
Sources:
Associated Press, The Guardian, Washington Post, CBS News, Pitchfork, NBC Chicago
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