Mass Shooting at Chicago Party Leaves 3 Dead, 16 Injured
A deadly mass shooting outside a Chicago nightclub left 3 dead and 16 injured during a release party for rapper Mello Buckzz. Police continue to investigate the drive-by attack.
A devastating mass shooting rocked Chicago’s River North neighborhood late Wednesday night, claiming at least three lives and leaving 16 others wounded outside Artis Lounge, a popular nightlife venue. The attack, which occurred around 11:05 PM local time, targeted a crowd exiting an album release party for local rapper Mello Buckzz, whose real name is Melanie Doyle. Authorities have described the incident as a drive-by shooting, with gunfire erupting from a passing vehicle.
The shooting took place in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue, as partygoers spilled onto the sidewalk following the event for Doyle’s debut album, *Hollywood*. Witnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire, with videos circulating on social media capturing the chaos as people scrambled for safety. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, with images showing police cordoning off the area and paramedics administering CPR to victims amidst scattered debris.
Chicago police, led by Officer Julio Garcia, confirmed that 19 people were shot in total, with three fatalities reported. Several victims were transported to local hospitals, including Northwestern Medicine, which declared a mass casualty emergency. While specific details about the victims’ conditions remain limited, early reports suggest many were female, with some in serious or critical condition.
Doyle, a 24-year-old rapper from Chicago’s East Side, expressed profound grief on social media, revealing that her boyfriend was among those killed. In emotional Instagram Stories, she described holding his hand in his final moments, writing, “My heart hurt so bad,” and “I’m so f------g angry.” It remains unclear whether Doyle herself was injured in the attack.
The investigation is ongoing, with no arrests or suspect descriptions released as of Thursday morning. Authorities are probing whether the shooting was a targeted attack, potentially linked to gang activity or prior incidents at the venue. Artis Lounge, formerly Hush Lounge, was the site of a 2022 mass shooting that left one dead and three injured, leading to its temporary closure. The recurrence of violence at this location has raised fresh concerns about safety in Chicago’s nightlife districts.
This tragedy marks one of the deadliest shootings in Chicago this year, adding to the 195 mass shootings recorded nationwide in 2025, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Chicago police are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the motive and circumstances of the attack. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.